Seddülbahir Fortress is nominated for EMYA

The Seddülbahir Fortress in Çanakkale was brought to life under the advisory of Gülsün Tanyeli, Lucienne Thys-Şenocak, Rahmi Nurhan Çelik, and Haluk Sesigür, with surveying, restitution, and restoration projects prepared by Arzu Özsavaşçı (AOMTD) and the reuse project by Y. Burak Dolu (KOOP Mimarlık).

Thirty-five museums are nominated by the EMYA (European Museum of the Year Awards) Jury to take part in this year's edition. Among these nominees are the Seddülbahir Fortress and the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam Museum from Turkey.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated on his social media account, 'The castle, which opened its doors on the anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory, stands out today as a strong cultural venue that brings together historical awareness with a contemporary understanding of museum practices. Seddülbahir Castle is on the European stage with its EMYA 2026 candidacy. We are delighted that Seddülbahir Castle, one of Turkey's historic structures on the Çanakkale coast, has been nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award 2026, one of Europe's most prestigious museum programs'.

Seddülbahir Castle and Its Restoration

The extensive academic research project initiated in 1997 by Koç University and Istanbul Technical University evolved into a conservation-restoration project between 2005 and 2009, focusing on detailed documentation and academic studies within the same institutions. The projects were approved by the Çanakkale Conservation Board at the end of 2009. Restoration and museum use applications initiated in 2015 by ÇATAB (Çanakkale Wars Gelibolu Historical Area Directorate) in line with these projects were completed in 2023.

Construction of Seddülbahir Castle began in 1656 under the patronage of Hatice Turhan Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmed IV. Hatice Turhan Sultan is a rare and special example in Ottoman history as a Valide Sultan in terms of patronage of military architectural structures. According to various archival records, the castle was first built by a team led by Ottoman court architect Mustafa Ağa. Seddülbahir Castle suffered extensive damage during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I.