Yedikule Dungeons - Free Audio Guide

The Yedikule Zindanları (Yedikule Fortress/Dungeons) in Istanbul is a historic fortification incorporated into the ancient Walls of Constantinople near the Sea of Marmara. Originating in the city’s late antique and medieval defensive system and later modified in the Ottoman era, the complex of seven towers served as an imperial stronghold, treasury and state prison, holding notable political prisoners and shaping perceptions of power and justice. Today the site preserves ramparts, towers, inner courtyards and exhibition spaces with architectural details and inscriptions that reflect Byzantine and Ottoman layers. It is of strong cultural significance as a symbol of the city’s continuity and contested past. Practical arrangements such as visiting hours, admission fees and on-site accessibility are managed by the authorities and may change; parts of the fortress include uneven surfaces and steps that limit full accessibility.