Riva Castle

Riva Castle, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul where the Riva Stream empties into the Black Sea, was built by the Genoese in the 14th century. The castle, which was captured by the Ottomans in the 18th century, was called “Revan Castle” in the Ottoman Period. Riva Castle was built for the purpose of protection and surveillance against the invasion of enemies from the Black Sea. Riva Castle currently has two bastions, one of which is ruined.

The exact date of the Riva Castle is not known. However, research on the details of its structure and the material used confirms that the castle was built by the Genoese. It is thought that the primary purpose of the Castle, which is thought to have been used in the Ottoman Period, was to observe the enemy ships in order to prevent them from entering the Riva Stream and landing soldiers behind Istanbul.

You may be interested: Rumeli Fortress

Features of Riva Castle

The inner castle, which is higher, is reached by passing through the small courtyard of the Riva Castle, which is entered through a door opening to the west. In the construction of the castle, it was generally made of rocks found in and around Riva stones were used. However, brickwork is also found in places.

This castle is important both because of the strategic importance it expresses. It differs from Eskihisar and Yoros castles on the Marmara coast in terms of the structural features it shows in The semicircular stone arches of the gates, the cellars and the wide battlements give the impression that this place resembles the castles of Istanbul in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The castle that was captured by the Turks during the reign of Yıldırım Bayezid in the fourteenth century is not the same as it is today. The castle, which was destroyed by the British after the occupation of Istanbul, has lost its strategic importance today and serves as a sightseeing place.

Where is Riva Castle ?

Located in the Riva region of Beykoz district, which has a coast to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea, the castle is at the point where the Riva Stream meets the Black Sea. Riva Castle is located in the north of the Anatolian side of Istanbul. You can reach the location of Riva Castle on the map by clicking on the link.

What to Do in Riva Castle?

Although the Riva castle, located on the hill side of Riva, is in a somewhat dilapidated state, Riva, which is quieter than other weekend resorts and recreation areas in Istanbul, has a wide and long sandy beach. Cabins, coffee and restaurants are available on Riva beach. There are also small motels and hostels for those who want to stay in Riva.

Besides the sea and beach of Riva, its greenery and nature are also worth seeing. Riva Stream flows through a lush valley and empties into the sea. It is also a pleasure to take a ride on the Riva creek by renting a rowboat and boat. There are also large and small restaurants, barbecue and picnic areas by the creek.

How to Go to Riva Castle?

Riva is a coastal town on the Black Sea coast of Beykoz district of Istanbul.

For those coming from the Anatolian side

You can reach Riva by taking the 15BK bus from Kadıköy and getting off at the Beykoz stop, then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.
You can reach Riva by taking one of the buses numbered 15 or 15T from Üsküdar and getting off at the Beykoz stop, then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.
You can reach Riva by taking the 11H bus from Ümraniye, getting off at the Beykoz stop, and then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibus.
If you are coming from Kartal, Maltepe, Pendik, Tuzla, take the Kadıköy-Tavşantepe metro and get off at Göztepe stop. Take the bus number 15BK from Göztepe bus stop, exiting the Medeniyet University exit. After getting off at Beykoz stop with this bus, you can reach Riva by taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.

For those coming from the European side

If you are coming from Büyükçekmece, Beylikdüzü, Avcılar, Küçükçekmece, Bahçelievler, take the Metrobus from any metrobus station and get off at the Mecidiyeköy stop. You can reach Riva by taking the 121A bus stop near the cemetery and getting off at the Beykoz stop, and then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.
If you are coming from Esenler or Bayrampaşa, take the Yenikapı-Airport metro and get off at Merter and transfer to the Metrobus. Get off at Mecidiyeköy stop by Metrobus. You can reach Riva by taking the 121A bus stop near the cemetery and getting off at the Beykoz stop, and then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.
If you are coming from Bağcılar or Güngören, take the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line, get off at Zeytinburnu stop and transfer to the metrobus. Get off at Mecidiyeköy stop by Metrobus. You can reach Riva by taking the 121A bus stop near the cemetery and getting off at the Beykoz stop, and then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.
From Taksim, take the Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro, get off at the Mecidiyeköy-Şişli stop and take the Meydan exit. You can reach Riva by taking the 121A bus stop near the cemetery and getting off at the Beykoz stop, and then taking the Beykoz-Riva minibuses.