Kuleli Military High School

With its symmetrical façade and two elegant towers, it forms one of the most recognisable views of the Bosphorus. This historic building, dating back to the 19th century, served as one of the most important military training institutions of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey for many years. Today, with its white facade and red roof, Kuleli continues to be an integral part of Istanbul's cultural heritage, offering an impressive visual spectacle to visitors passing by from the sea.

History of the Kuleli Military High School

The first military structure on the site of the Kuleli Military High School was a cavalry barracks built in 1828 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, following the abolition of the Janissary Corps. The name ‘Kuleli’ originated during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid in 1843, when the barracks were rebuilt in a semi-timber (stone and wood) structure, with towers added to both ends. This new ‘Kuleli Barracks’ quickly gained fame; in fact, the trials of the failed coup attempt known as the ‘Kuleli Incident’ in 1859 were held here. During the Crimean War (1853-1856), a portion of the allied French and British troops stayed in this building, which was used as a hospital and headquarters. At the end of the war, the British troops deliberately set the barracks on fire as they evacuated, completely destroying the building.

Kuleli Barracks were rebuilt in their original form during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876) and acquired their current monumental appearance. Designed by Ottoman palace architect Garabet Amira Balyan, the new barracks building began rising in the early 1860s, with the main entrance facing the sea featuring Sultan Abdülaziz's coat of arms and an inscription dated 1279 AH (1863 AD). The Kuleli Military High School was actually established in 1845 in a different location, but in 1872 it moved to this renovated Kuleli barracks building and began its educational activities here. In the following years, the Kuleli Military High School provided education in this building throughout the period spanning the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Republic (with some interruptions).

Throughout the 20th century, Kuleli was used for various temporary purposes due to historical events. During the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War and the 1912 Balkan War, the school building was converted into a hospital; the students were transferred to other buildings and returned to the school after the wars. During the Allied occupation of Istanbul at the end of World War I, in 1920, the British administration evacuated the Kuleli Barracks and opened the building for use as a shelter for Armenian orphan children. With the victory of the National Struggle in 1923, when Istanbul was recaptured, the orphanage in Kuleli was evacuated, and the school returned to its own building. After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, all military schools were closed in accordance with the Law of Unification of Education (Tevhid-i Tedrisat Kanunu) issued in 1924. Kuleli briefly served as a civilian high school (Kuleli High School) but regained its military school status in 1925.

During World War II, due to the strategic location of the Bosphorus, the school was temporarily relocated to Konya in May 1941; during this period, the vacant Kuleli Barracks were again used as a military hospital. After the war ended, the school returned to its historic building in Istanbul in 1947 and continued its education. In the 1960s, extensive restoration work was carried out on the historic building, and the worn parts were renovated in accordance with the original design. In particular, the twin towers, which had been damaged, were rebuilt in the same style.

Kuleli Military High School continued to operate as one of Turkey's most established and prestigious military educational institutions over the following decades, graduating thousands of students. Finally, following the coup attempt on 15 July 2016, the Kuleli Military High School was closed along with all other military high schools in the country, bringing an end to its 173-year history as a military school. The historic building, which remained vacant for a short period, was later transferred to the National Defence University and reopened as the MSÜ Kuleli Campus. Today, the magnificent structure of Kuleli continues to host preparatory education for students of the Foreign Languages College affiliated with the military academies under the National Defence University. As it is used as a military facility, the building is not open to the public; however, it can be seen from the outside due to its location on the Bosphorus coast and can be observed up close, especially during maritime traffic.

Discover the Kuleli Military High School by Yacht

A yacht rental on the Bosphorus offers more than just a pleasant route; it also provides an opportunity to discover Istanbul's historical and architectural beauties from a different perspective. Magnificent structures along the Bosphorus, such as the Kuleli Military High School, reveal many details that are invisible from land to those viewing them from the sea. If you are planning a special Bosphorus tour, we highly recommend adding a passage in front of Kuleli to your itinerary. On such a route, you can slow down and enjoy the splendour of the building from the calm waters.

Viewing Kuleli Military High School, with its historical and symbolic value, from a yacht offers you not just a scenic tour, but an experience of travelling through time. With its history stretching from the Ottoman period to the Republic, Kuleli reveals Istanbul's role in history when viewed from the sea. As you gaze at this impressive building from the deck of the yacht, you can see how the twin towers seem to extend towards the Bosphorus, completing the city's silhouette. As you pass by Kuleli accompanied by the gentle waves of the Bosphorus waters, you will both salute a historical legacy and feel the enchanting beauty of the city up close.

If you want to discover the unique views of the Bosphorus from the sea, rent a yacht now. Enjoy the privilege of greeting Kuleli Military High School, the pearl of the Bosphorus, and other historic mansions along the coast from the sea, following your own chosen route. Thanks to this unique experience, you will discover Istanbul beyond the classic crowded tours, in a personal and unforgettable way. As you glide past Kuleli with your loved ones on the yacht, you can capture these breathtaking views with your camera while feeling the city's soul deeply with the gentle breeze of the Bosphorus.