The main objective is to restore integrity of the Anadolu Hisarı, to construct a sightseeing route regulating its levels with the possibilities of sightlines the Bosphorus and the urban context, and thus to reveal the integrative perceptual potential of the fortress.
‘TWIN’ CITADELS FACING EACH OTHER
Anadolu Hisarı is a 14th-century fortress on the Anatolian side of the Beykoz district of İstanbul. As part of the Ottoman strategy in the conquest of İstanbul, the fortress was designed to control merchant ships passing through the Bosphorus and to create a base against the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a popular destination for visitors curious about the Bosphorus and its history. Despite its small scale, and its 25 meter-high tower, it is surrounded by inner and outer walls. It is an important design approach to make the visitor feel the visual contact with the Rumeli Hisarı, the twin of the Anadolu Hisarı on the Bosphorus.
RESTORATION FOR INTEGRITY
In the current state of the Anadolu Hisarı, the highly different elevations and fortifications owe the situation to division of them by the Körfez Street. The main objective is to restore the integrity of Anadolu Hisarı, to construct a sightseeing route by regulating its levels with the possibilities of the Bosphorus and the urban context, and thus to reveal the integrative perceptual potential of the fortress.
In this respect, traffic was slowed down with partial paving material on Körfez Street with reference to traces of the demolished part of the city wall. Thus, the city wall became a pedestrian-orientated integrated square. A totem ground was designed on the flank of the Körfez Street as a welcoming and gathering area. This totem is the first place where visitors encounter the museum’s corporate identity. The existing trees in the open space have been preserved and form the natural texture of the square. Namazgah, Anadolu Hisarı and the shores of the Bosphorus are separated from the vehicular road with the unity and continuity of a unique paving material and are connected to the pedestrian walkway, i.e. the urban ground.
GENEROUS LEVELS, LIGHTWEIGHT BUILDINGS
The service buildings designed to meet needs of visitors are lightweight buildings that do not interfere with historic identity of Anadolu Hisarı. Taking advantage of differences in levels onthe periphery of the Hisar, the level in the southwest of the square was raised by 1.5 metres and an office and museum shop were introduced below. A mini amphitheatre with seating and steps for spectators and relaxation has been introduced in the square for events,
At the point where the ground floor of the plaza meets the western walls, an interval was left with a light parapet, and permanent exhibition elements were proposed on the wall. Steps at the end of the permanent exhibition route lead to a controlled exit on the promenade. The bastions are given a permanent exhibition function. Considering the existing levels, a staircase is designed to connect the lower level. The staircase descends to the museum shop and ticket offices but also acts as a corridor leading to the Namazgah square. The corridor axis also gathers all the service units around it.
ITINERARY
After the ticket office, there is an exhibition courtyard that leads to the entrance of the citadel. The existing staircase leading to it is not original and has been replaced by a steel staircase with supports on the rock. The staircase extends to different levels and acts as a viewing point. The citadel itself, with its different levels and textures, becomes an exhibition object to spend time around. Improvements have been made according to the principle of adding the least necessary and minimising surface contact points. The interior spaces are designed as exhibition and workshop units.
NAMAZGAH / THE OPEN PRAYER ROOM
Service units needed for worship are placed to the south-east of the prayer hall. Without interfering the existing greenery of the hall, the hard floor cover used in Hisar Meydan is turned into a sufficient area for lines of praying.
