Native Name: Yedikule Hisari
Yedikule fortress is the first fortress behind the Golden Gate. It consists of the seven towers and the walls surrounding them. It was originally constructed by Emperor John I Tzimiskes and completed by Manual I Komnenos. It originally had five towers only. During the Fourth Crusade, the fortress was destroyed after the first fall of the city and was later rebuilt again in 1350 by John VI Kantakouzenos. The new reconstructed fort had five octagonal towers, in addition to the two marble towers of the Golden Gate. Having seven towers in all, the fortress became known as the Heptapyrgion ("Seven Towers").
John V Palaiologos was forced to demolish the fortress in 1391, after Sultan Bayezid I captivated his son Manuel and threatened to blind him. After the co...
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