Rumeli Fortress

The Rumeli Fortress, located on the European side of Istanbul, was originally built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1452 to control and protect the Bosporus Strait. The fortress was later expanded by the Sultans Suleiman the Magnificent and Abdülmecid I in the 16th century. The fortress has a commanding view of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn, and was used to protect Istanbul from attack by the Venetians and other European powers. It was also used as a prison and a place of execution. Today, the Rumeli Fortress is a popular tourist attraction, and is open to the public. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.