Bozcaada Castle

Bozcaada Castle is located on the northeastern tip of Bozcaada district, which belongs to Çanakkale province, atop a promontory extending into the sea. The castle was built on high cliffs and is separated from the main settlement by a ditch approximately 10 metres wide and 250 metres long. It is known that the ditch was once filled with water and access to the main entrance was provided by a drawbridge.

Bozcaada Kalesi (Çanakkale Governorate)

Historical Development

The exact date and builder of Bozcaada Castle are not definitively known. Throughout history the castle was used by the Venetians Genoese and Byzantines. After the island came under Ottoman control extensive repairs were carried out during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmed. In 1657 following the recapture of the island from the Venetians the castle underwent major restoration. Various repairs were conducted in 1703 1706 and 1714 by Kaptan-ı Derya Süleyman Paşa. The most comprehensive renovation took place during the reign of Mahmud II in 1815. Information regarding this restoration is inscribed on tablets found within the castle.

During the Republican era the castle was restored and placed under protection by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism between 1965 and 1970 and most recently in 1996.

Bozcaada Kalesi.(Çanakkale Governorate)

Architectural Structure and Sections

Castle Structure

Bozcaada Castle consists of two main sections: the outer castle and the inner castle.

Outer Castle

The outer castle is a large area enclosed by walls. Within this section are the foundations of two armories a well two artillery positions remnants of workshops for catapults ceremonial and training areas and the foundations of houses once inhabited by castle residents. Today this area is largely empty.

Inner Castle

The inner castle comprises two subsections. The entrance section is located on the eastern side and features two gates one facing east and the other west. In the past this area contained a hospital a mosque a minaret dungeons and a barracks. Access to the main inner castle is gained through a small gate on the eastern side. The inner castle contains a total of eight towers one of which is the main tower. At the centre are a storage depot an armory and a cistern.

Gates

In addition to the main entrance the castle has two other gates: Mendirek Gate and Sea Gate. Mendirek Gate was opened after the construction of the wharves in 1905. Neither of these gates is in use today.

Bozcaada Kalesi. (Çanakkale Governorate)

Religious Structures

When the castle came under Turkish control during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmed a mosque was built within the inner castle. The foundations of this mosque are still visible today. The mosque was renovated during the reign of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Additionally 19th century engravings indicate the presence of another mosque within the castle.

Current Use

Inside the castle there is an exhibition area displaying ethnographic and historical artifacts related to the history and culture of Bozcaada. The castle is open to visitors daily from 10:00 to 19:00 during the summer months.