Underground tunnel discovered in Istanbul: Location revealed

One of the iconic structures of Istanbul, Rumeli Fortress, has been found to have a secret tunnel beneath it.

The most comprehensive restoration of Rumeli Fortress, commissioned by Fatih Sultan Mehmetin 1452, was carried out between 1953 and 1955.

Sixty-six years after that restoration, in 2021, IMM Heritage teams began restoration work at Rumeli Fortress once again.

On May 29, the 571st anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, the teams conducting the restoration discovered a 125-meter-long tunnel beneath Rumeli Fortress.

The entrance to the discovered tunnel is located right next to the Çavdarlı Halil Pasha Tower on the coast, while its exit is still waiting to be discovered.

IT MAY BRANCH OUT INTO OTHER SECTIONS

“We are facing a discovery that has emerged during the restoration and attracted great public interest, one that triggers our curiosity not only about the physical history of a structure we have always paid attention to and valued in our work, but also about its social and military history,” said IMM Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, adding, “At the point you see behind me, with the excavation we carried out here, you are seeing the findings of an underground passage that we encountered during the restoration, which we know is 125 meters long in a vertical cross-section, but which we estimate branches out into other channels and arms inside.” he said.

“A VERY IMPORTANT FIND”

Polat stated the following:

“It is an underground passage that runs vertically from the tower we see right next to us, working in conjunction with the valley above. We see that it crosses the tower and the wall from end to end, and that it is a ground level that connects to the valley floor further ahead.”

Of course, this is a very significant find because it is a structure that should be considered a medieval construction. As you know, the Middle Ages were to end one year after the conquest of Istanbul. We are encountering a find where underground passages exist in a medieval defensive structure. When we show it on the plan level and support it with photographs, it is seen that it connects with a vertical passage corridor in the area we see in the cross-section..”

Explaining that the height of the tunnel reaches up to 4.5 meters in some sections, Polat continued as follows:

“Such a find, friends, will naturally make it possible to conduct further studies and interpretations after this stage using the research method we call archaeometry, including mortar analysis, material analysis, and construction technique analysis. But as we see it in its current state, to make a brief comment, you know there is also the high hill point above at this exact spot during the conquest. You can see the Anatolian Fortress on the opposite side, which we recently completed the restoration of, which Fatih Sultan Mehmet ordered his three pashas to build here and which is actually the symbol of the conquest of Istanbul. It is understood that this magnificent structure, built in a short period of four months along with this construction that started at the point known as the 'Boğazkesen' (Strait-cutter), actually met certain needs in terms of military techniques.”

TO BE OPENED TO VISITORS

Saying, “May this discovery be beneficial for Istanbul,” Polat concluded his statement with the words, “We know and feel that this is a very special discovery. When the restoration is finished, we will make it suitable for people to walk through and visit.”

News Source: 12punto