Rumelihisarı Museum

Built in the 15th century on the orders of Sultan Mehmed II, Rumelihisari is a medieval fortress situated along the narrowest point of the strait. Aligned with its older counterpart Anadolu Hisarı on the opposite shore, the Rumelihisarı fortress helped bring about the Ottoman capture of Constantinople by thwarting naval traffic along the Bosphorus and cutting off outside help to the besieged Byzantines. Following the Ottoman conquest, Rumelihisarı was used as a customs checkpoint and a prison where the embassies of states at war with the Ottomans were held captive. Today, Rumelihisarı serves as a museum and an occasional open-air venue for concerts. Visitors can explore the many towers of the fortress and enjoy a spectacular view of the Bosphorus and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.