Bozcaada New Castle

Bozcaada New Castle, locally simply known as Yeni Kalesi (yeni meaning 'new' in Turkish), lies next to the village of Bozcaada, on the island of Bozcaada in the province of Çanakkale in Turkey.

Before 1970 the majority of the inhabitants of the island were ethnic Greeks. They called the island Tenedos. The Ottomans gained possession of the island in the 15th century. They called the island Bozcaada.

Although very ruined we know when Bozcaada New Castle was built, as a stone plaque commemorating its construction, which once adorned its entrance, is now held in nearby Bozcaada Castle. It tells us that it was built by Hafız Ali Pasha during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, around 1827. It was built on the highest point of a ridge above the castle and village of Bozcaada and from here almost the entire island could be seen.

Alhtough called a castle it is more like a fort. Its plan roughly resembles a five-pointed star and it was built out of rubble stone with mortar and big blocks at the corners. The walls are pierced with openings for firearms. And one wall shows openings probably used for cannons. Inside the castle walls there is a vaulted space with plastered walls, maybe used for storage.

At present Bozcaada New Castle is freely accessible. A small ruin but it offers nice views of the village and castle below.

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