Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı): The Rumeli Fortress is the most imposing sight on the Bosphorus straights, dating back to the 15th century. With the ramparts and walls still in excellent condition due to vigilant refurbishment and upkeep, the Fortress is both an overwhelming open museum as well as the most dramatic spot in Istanbul for the summertime open-air concerts, which typically begin in June.
Sultan Mehmet II made preparations for the siege of Constantinople. He decided to build a fortress on the Bosphorus opposite the Anadolu Hisari in order to cut off the city from its sources of grain on the shores of the Black Sea. The construction was completed in 1452 in less than four months and it served its purposes well. After the conquest, it lost its military importance.
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