Kuleli Military High School

Located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, in the Çengelköy district of Üsküdar, Kuleli Military High School, with its white facade and tower-adorned silhouette, is one of the unforgettable parts of the Bosphorus view. As you pass by the Bosphorus by boat, this elegant structure immediately catches your attention and showcases the splendor of Ottoman-era architecture. Thanks to its symmetrical towers on either side and its long facade, Kuleli resembles a fairytale palace at first glance, inspiring deep admiration in visitors. Bringing together both the historical heritage and natural beauty of Istanbul in a single frame, Kuleli Military High School is one of the most impressive structures you will encounter on the Bosphorus coast.

History of Kuleli Military High School

Although a monastery existed on the site of Kuleli Military High School before the Ottoman era, the military history of the building begins in the 19th century. The first barracks building was constructed in 1828 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II as a cavalry barracks for the Asâkir-i Mansûre army. The first structure was a single-story stone barracks and was used until 1839; however, it was completely destroyed in a great fire in 1844. During the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, the barracks were rebuilt, and in 1847, a new building, partly wooden and partly stone, was constructed. Because of the towers at both ends, this new structure became known among the people as the "Kuleli Barracks" (Towered Barracks). During the Crimean War (1853-1856), the Kuleli Barracks were allocated to the Allied forces and served as a hospital and barracks. Although part of the building was damaged at the end of the war, during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876), the barracks were completely renovated to serve its original purpose. Rebuilt in 1871 with stone main walls and a two-story wooden interior, this barracks building forms the basis of the magnificent Kuleli structure we see today. In the late Ottoman period, the building gained the function of a military school, and from 1872 onwards, it began to be used as a Mekteb-i İdadi (military high school). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kuleli Barracks witnessed various historical events: it was temporarily converted into a hospital during the 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian War and the 1912-13 Balkan Wars, and after World War I, during the occupation of Istanbul, it was temporarily vacated and used for different purposes. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, in October 1923, the school returned to its original location and continued its education under the name Kuleli Military High School. Operating as one of Turkey's long-established military high schools from 1925 to 2016, Kuleli was closed following the decision taken after the coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Currently, the historical building, which no longer functions as a military school, is in the preparation phase to be transformed into a national museum in the near future.

Architecture of Kuleli Military High School

19th Kuleli Military High School, an elegant example of 19th-century Ottoman architecture, reflects a synthesis of traditional Ottoman style and Western neoclassical (Empire) style. The building has a typical Ottoman barracks layout, constructed around a large central courtyard. The rectangular building features arched entrances on the ground floor; the two upper floors are lined with rectangular windows arranged in groups of three. The most striking architectural elements of the building, which faces the sea, are the symmetrical five-story towers rising at the two corners and the terraced Hünkâr Kasrı (Sultan's Pavilion) in the center. These elegant towers give the building its name and are immediately noticeable from a distance. The facade of Kuleli is adorned with fine stonework details characteristic of Ottoman architecture. The long, white facade, with its columns and columnar entrances and inscriptions bearing the Sultan's monogram, reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the period. All these architectural elements come together to give Kuleli Military High School both monumental grandeur and an elegant character.

Exploring Kuleli Military High School by Yacht

Located on the Çengelköy coastline, where the Bosphorus widens, Kuleli Military High School stands parallel to the water, its long facade and strong symmetry easily visible even from the opposite shore, defining the character of its location. From the sea, the building is perceived not merely as an architectural mass, but as a symbol carrying the Bosphorus's century-long memory of education and discipline. Often perceived as distant and closed from land, its proportions and placement along the shore make it more understandable and offer a balanced unity when viewed from water level. As the yacht moves parallel to the shore, the rhythm along the facade gradually reveals why the building holds such a strong place in the Bosphorus silhouette. At this point, the architecture chooses representation over ornamentation. The building derives its seriousness not from details, but from continuity and measure. Stopping and observing here allows one to realize that the Bosphorus is shaped not only by palaces and mansions, but also by the traces of education and institutional culture. Seeing Kuleli Military High School from this perspective offers an even more impressive view when sailing on the Bosphorus in a rented yacht. Those planning a trip passing in front of Kuleli Military High School can easily evaluate the yachts in our fleet online according to their preferred duration and number of people, and see how their budget is calculated step by step by adding extra services through the menu on yatkiralama.net/en.