Standing at the entrance of the Dardanelles with its powerful bastions and fortress walls since the 17th century, and situated on an area of approximately 22,000 square meters, this castle bears the name "Seddül-bahr," meaning "The Barrier of the Sea." For centuries, it has held a vital position in the defense of the Dardanelles.

The Veteran Guardian of the Strait: SEDDÜLBAHİR CASTLE

This is the place where the first martyrs were lost, and where the Gallipoli Campaign both began and reached its conclusion.

Seddülbahir Castle was commissioned between 1658 and 1661 by Hadice Turhan Sultan, the mother of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV. Located at the entrance of the Dardanelles, it was built alongside its sister fortress Kumkale on the Asian shore to protect this strategically vital waterway from the Venetian navy and to safeguard the Pilgrimage (Hajj) route from pirate threats.

Seddülbahir Castle also played a pivotal role in the Gallipoli Campaign. The Dardanelles suffered its first casualties at Seddülbahir Castle during the bombardment carried out by the Allied navy on the morning of November 3, 1914. Our martyrs were laid to rest in the cemetery adjacent to the northeastern wall of the castle.

Greatly damaged during the land battles that began on April 25, 1915, the castle served as the general headquarters for French troops for eight months. The last British soldier to depart from the Gallipoli front—which ended in a Turkish victory—left the peninsula from the Seddülbahir region on January 9, 1916.

The museum within Seddülbahir Castle was designed to ensure the preservation and transmission of historical and cultural symbols to future generations. Historical events are depicted through contemporary interpretations, featuring artistic installations made of diverse materials such as metal, ceramic, and leather, as well as "scrap sculptures" created from objects found during archaeological excavations that hold no exhibition or inventory value.

On the remains of a cannon, the Ottoman Turkish inscription reads: "Allah is with us."

Seddülbahir Castle Suggested Tour Route

1- Visitor Welcome Center Visit the Accessible Museum, where you can take a digital virtual tour, explore the Temporary Exhibition Area, and watch the "Living History" documentary. Don't miss the handmade souvenirs produced in the Public Education Workshops.

2- Bab-ı Kebir (The Great Gate) Enter the castle through the main entrance gate, which was reconstructed using wooden materials according to its original form after its foundations were discovered during restoration.

3- Museum See sculptures of soldiers made from shrapnel pieces left over from the war, and learn about the history and archaeological finds of the castle.

4- The Bastion (Tabya) Four chambers (bonnettes) await you, featuring: The First Martyrs of Çanakkale, the Hero of Seddülbahir Bigalı Mehmed Çavuş, Seddülbahir Castle in the press, and the charcoal drawings of Soldier-Painter Mehmed Ali Laga.

5- The Domed Room Learn about the research, planning, and implementation processes at Seddülbahir Castle spanning from 1997 to 2023.

6- Hamam Tower Gain insights into Valide Hadice Turhan Sultan, who funded the castle's construction, and experience the perfume installation prepared based on information from her Endowment (Vakfiye).

7- Bab-ı Sagir Tower (The Small Gate Tower) Take a look at historical engravings, plans, and travelogues of Seddülbahir Castle.

8- Flag Tower (Sancak Kulesi) Overlooking Ertuğrul Bay, where the land battles took place, the pier where the River Clyde ship docked will spark your imagination.

9- Cezâir Tower (The Islands Tower) A view from Seddülbahir toward the Aegean Sea (Sea of Islands). This is the best spot for capturing stunning sunset photographs.

10-Lower Courtyard The areas where the cannons cast in the castle were stored will transport you back through the centuries.

11- Tophane Lodos Tower From the upper section of this tower, which serves as a conference hall, you can take photographs themed around the Martyrs' Memorial and the Dardanelles.

12- The First Martyrs' Cemetery:The eternal resting place of our martyrs who lost their lives during the Allied Navy bombardment on November 3, 1914.