Evaluation of Çanakkale Kilitbahir Castle in the Context of Refunctioning

The Dardanelles Strait functions as a bridge between Biga and Gelibolu
peninsulas, connecting the Aegean Sea and Marmara Sea. Many defenses
have been built on the Dardanelles Strait, which have hosted many
civilizations from the past to the present day, in line with the needs of the time.
Kilitbahir Castle, which has a three-leaf clover plan and is located on a slope
rising on the Gallipoli peninsula in the narrowest part of the Bosphorus after
the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmet the Conqueror; manifests itself as a
pioneering structure of the military architecture of the era with the developing
artillery technology. The castle consists of a heart-shaped seven-storey inner
tower in the core, the inner tower in the form of a three-leaf clover and the
outer walls surrounding it. The architectural assembly of the castle is among
the most aesthetic and unique among the Ottoman Castles. In terms of
protecting the physical environment, it is observed that the defensive buildings
which survived up to today are not adequately protected, losing their
historical and architectural values. In this context, the restoration of
Kilitbahir Castle dating back to Ottoman Period defense structures on the
Dardanelles Strait was evaluated. Its phases throughout the process along
with the current location and architecture were evaluated by using written
and visual resources. European Archives, BNF Archives, Topkapı Palace
Archives and Istanbul University Archives were utilized for reaching the
castle engravings. In accordance with the information obtained in the
historical research process, the exhibition arrangement and environment
planning project of the structure, which serves as a museum, were prepared.
JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (2018), 2(3), 146-152.
https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.4729