--- title: Seddülbahir Fortress slug: seddulbahir-fortress url: /detay/seddulbahir-fortress type: article language: English entity: primary: Seddülbahir Fortress type: article disambiguation: Explore Seddülbahir Fortress: Ottoman-era fort, Gallipoli's strategic WWI site. Restored & open! categories: - name: Architecture slug: mimari url: /kategori/mimari tags: - Seddülbahir - Fortress - Cultural Heritage - Türkiye - Çanakkale - Gallipoli campaign author: Edanur Karakoç created_at: 2025-03-18T16:23:55.053515+03:00 updated_at: 2025-04-17T10:58:10.216854+03:00 --- # Seddülbahir Fortress ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Seddülbahir Fortress ![e1zhaTYokDIWK9xIr0Id0kk2oItED8XWCsjVCZ9V.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/18/O6vHLYqJeDNrtG1VeJsV48J7B8yA7TSk.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Construction Date(s)(Text) | 1657-1659 | | Foundation Charter | Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan Foundation | | Location | Çanakkale,Türkiye | ## Article Content [Seddülbahir Fortress](/en/detay/seddulbahir-kalesi/llms.txt) is a fort built in 1659 during the Ottoman Empire to defend the entrance of the [Dardanelles Strait](/en/detay/canakkale-bogazi-2/llms.txt). Commissioned by Hatice Turhan Valide [Sultan](/en/detay/sultan-2/llms.txt), the structure is located [at](/en/detay/at-3/llms.txt) the southern [tip](/en/detay/tip-2/llms.txt) of the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Dardanelles meets the Aegean Sea. The fortress [has](/en/detay/has-3/llms.txt) held strategic significance throughout history, playing a crucial role particularly during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/03/18/n8KneYpj0LMc5cVAz63zg6aYPVluLCNw.jpg) *Seddülbahir Fortress - Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı* ### **History and Construction** Seddülbahir Fortress was constructed as part of the Ottoman Empire’s efforts to strengthen the defense of the strait following prolonged wars with the Venetians. Built by the order of [Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan](/en/detay/turhan-sultan/llms.txt), the mother of Sultan [Mehmed IV](/en/detay/mehmed-iv/llms.txt), the fortress was designed to work in conjunction with Kumkale Fortress on the Anatolian side to protect both shores of the Dardanelles. Although there is no definitive information about its [architect](/en/detay/architect/llms.txt), it is believed to have been designed by Mustafa [Ağa](/en/detay/aga-3/llms.txt), [an](/en/detay/an-2/llms.txt) Ottoman court architect. The foundation charter of the fortress belongs to the Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan Foundation. The fortress underwent a restoration process during the 19th century under the Ottoman rule. ### **Architectural Structure** The fortress has an asymmetrical and tiered design, roughly in a rectangular shape. Positioned on the coastline, its outer walls feature a break in the middle. Today, the fortress has five surviving towers, with a distance of 136.5 meters between the northern and western towers. No structures within the fortress have survived to the present day. During World War I, it served as one of the key defense points of the Gallipoli Front. On [November](/en/detay/november/llms.txt) 3, 1914, it was bombarded for the first time by the Allied forces, resulting in the first casualties on the Turkish side. It was again heavily bombarded on [February](/en/detay/february/llms.txt) 19 and February 25, 1915, by the Allied navy, leading to significant destruction. Later in the war, the fortress was captured by the British on [April](/en/detay/april-748391/llms.txt) 26, 1915, and by the French on April 27, 1915. Due to its strategic importance, it changed hands multiple times during the Gallipoli Campaign. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/03/18/mfLwwLBe8uSf9hG51fyhdbidW1fohGvC.jpg) *Seddülbahir Fortress - Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı* ### **Restoration Efforts** Seddülbahir Fortress was officially registered as a cultural heritage site on November 14, 1980. As part of a project launched in 2006, restoration plans were approved by the [Çanakkale](/en/detay/canakkale-2/llms.txt) Cultural Heritage Preservation Board on November 16, 2006. Conservation projects were approved on February 23, 2007, and landscaping and restoration projects were approved on November 24, 2009. The restoration was carried out under a protocol signed between the [Gallipoli Historical Area Presidency](/en/detay/battle-of-canakkale-1314b/llms.txt) and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums on [May](/en/detay/may-748395/llms.txt) 11, 2015. The restoration process, which began on [June](/en/detay/june/llms.txt) 5, 2015, was completed on [March](/en/detay/march/llms.txt) 18, 2023, and the fortress was reopened to visitors. ### **International Awards** The restoration of Seddülbahir Fortress has gained international recognition and has received several awards: - In 2024, it was shortlisted for the "Shortlist Award" at the International Domus Restoration and Conservation Awards in Italy. - In 2024, it won an award in the "Heritage Project" category at the UK-based Dezeen Awards, securing first place against projects from China, Malaysia, Belgium, Australia, and the UK. - It received an award in the Building-Conservation category at the 19th National Architecture Exhibition and Awards organized by the Chamber of Architects of Türkiye (TMMOB). - At the World Architecture Festival in Singapore, it received the jury's special commendation in the "Completed Cultural Buildings" category. The restoration project has also been nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Europa Nostra Awards, and ICOM awards. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/03/18/Y1E4eMfPBL8VJCXxmxYW0jCJqGEX3MoT.jpg) *Seddülbahir Fortress - Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı* ### **Current Status** Following its restoration, Seddülbahir Fortress was reopened to visitors in 2023, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. As one of the significant historical structures of the Gallipoli Campaign, the fortress is managed by the Gallipoli Historical Area Presidency and is preserved as a cultural heritage site. Today, it remains open to visitors as a monument bearing the marks of the Gallipoli Campaign. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Seddülbahir Kalesi Restorasyonu ile İlgili İnografik." Anadolu Ajansı. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/info/infografik/45150. 2. Anadolu Ajansı. "Seddülbahir Kalesinin Restorasyonu Avrupa'dan Miras Projesi Ödülü Kazandı." Anadolu Ajansı. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur/seddulbahir-kalesinin-restorasyonu-avrupadan-miras-projesi-odulu-kazandi/3407020. 3. Eceabat Kaymakamlığı. "Seddülbahir Kalesi." Eceabat Kaymakamlığı. Accessed March 18, 2025. http://www.eceabat.gov.tr/seddulbahir-kalesi. 4. Kültür Varlıkları ve Müzeler Genel Müdürlüğü. "Çanakkale Seddülbahir Kalesi Restore Ediliyor." Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://kvmgm.ktb.gov.tr/TR-142767/canakkale-seddulbahir-kalesi-restore-ediliyor.html. 5. TRT Haber. "Seddülbahir Kalesinin Restorasyon Projesine Ödül." TRT Haber. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.trthaber.com/haber/kultur-sanat/seddulbahir-kalesinin-restorasyon-projesine-odul-845716.html. 6. Çanakkale Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı. "Seddülbahir Kalesi." Çanakkale Tarihi Alan Başkanlığı. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://canakkaletarihialan.gov.tr/tr/ziyaret/kaleler-ve-tabyalar/seddulbahir-kalesi.