Canakkale history

Foundation and First Mentions

Although the surroundings of Çanakkale have been inhabited since ancient times (it was in this region that the legendary Troy was located), the history of the city itself as an urban centre begins in the Ottoman era. The foundation of the modern city was laid in 1462, when Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror ordered the construction of a fortress on the Asian shore of the strait to protect the approaches to Istanbul. Initially, the settlement was named Kale-i-Sultaniye ("Sultan's Fortress").

Key Development Factors

• Geographical Location: The city emerged at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles Strait, connecting the Aegean and Marmara Seas. This is a strategic point allowing for complete control of maritime traffic between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
• Military Necessity: The city's development was directly linked to its function as a defensive outpost. Residential quarters, markets, and mosques gradually expanded around the garrison.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

By the 17th–18th centuries, the city transformed from a purely military object into an important craft centre. A key feature of the local economy became pottery production. Local masters crafted magnificent glazed ceramics and tableware, which were renowned throughout the empire.

It is thanks to this craft that the city received its current name: Çanakkale literally translates as "Fortress of Pots" (from the Turkish çanak — pot, bowl, and kale — fortress). Furthermore, the economy flourished by supplying merchant ships, which often anchored here waiting for favourable winds to pass through the strait.

Major Historical Milestones

• Around 3000 BC — Emergence of the settlement of Troy in the immediate vicinity of the modern city, marking the beginning of the region's legendary history.
• 1462 — By order of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror, the Kale-i-Sultaniye (Cimenlik) fortress was built, becoming the core of the future city.
• 18th Century — The city becomes known as a centre for ceramic production, and the modern name Çanakkale ("Fortress of Pots") becomes established.
• 1807 — The British fleet breaks through the Dardanelles during the Anglo-Turkish War, demonstrating the strategic importance of the fortifications.
• 1915 (March 18) — Heroic defence of the strait and naval victory of the Ottoman forces over the Entente fleet during the Dardanelles Operation.
• 1915 (April — December) — Fierce land battles on the neighbouring Gallipoli peninsula, becoming a symbol of national resilience.
• 1923 — With the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, Çanakkale receives the status of the administrative centre of the province of the same name.
• 1936 — Signing of the Montreux Convention, which returned full sovereignty and control over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to Turkey.
• 1998 — The archaeological site of Troy is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which sharply increased tourist interest in the region.
• 2018 — Opening of the grand Troy Museum, gathering unique artefacts from the ancient civilizations of the Troad.
• 2022 — Grand opening of the "1915 Çanakkale" bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, connecting the European and Asian shores.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

The history of Çanakkale is a journey from a strategic outpost to a modern educational and tourist hub. Here are the key stages that formed the modern appearance and economy of the city:

• Formation of the Urban Core (15th Century). The construction of the Cimenlik Fortress defined the initial urban structure. Residential quarters (mahalle), trade rows, and a port gradually formed around the military facility, turning the closed garrison into a lively civilian settlement.
• Establishment as a Craft Centre (18th–19th Centuries). The development of pottery became the first major economic breakthrough. The export of high-quality ceramics and faience to Europe and the Middle East integrated the city into international trade routes and promoted the growth of the merchant class.
• Transformation into a University City (1992). The founding of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMÜ) became a crucial socio-cultural milestone in recent history. The influx of tens of thousands of students radically rejuvenated the population and stimulated the development of the housing market, cafes, and cultural spaces, making the city more dynamic.
• Museification and Cultural Tourism (2018). The opening of the large-scale Troy Museum marked a transition to an "experience economy." While tourists previously often passed through the city in transit, the creation of modern world-class museum infrastructure secured Çanakkale's status as an independent tourist destination.
• Infrastructure Revolution (2022). The commissioning of the "1915 Çanakkale" bridge changed the logistics of the entire region. Replacing the ferry crossing with high-speed road connections accelerated economic interaction with the European part of the continent and increased the city's investment attractiveness for business.

Urban Formation

The architectural appearance of Çanakkale was formed around its main strategic resource — the Dardanelles Strait. Initially, the city developed as a classic fortress settlement: from the military core (citadel), residential development fanned out along the coastline. The historical centre has preserved the low-rise structure characteristic of Ottoman port cities, while new districts expand inland, following the principles of modern urban planning.

Architectural Styles and Eras

• Ottoman Fortification Architecture (15th Century)

  The foundation of the city is the Cimenlik Fortress (Kale-i-Sultaniye). This is an example of monumental military architecture: massive stone walls, lead-roofed towers, and strict geometry designed for artillery placement. The complex also includes mosques and hammams built in the classic Ottoman style.

• Traditional Residential Development (19th — early 20th Century)

  In old quarters such as Fevzipaşa, examples of vernacular architecture have been preserved. These are two- or three-storey houses with characteristic overhanging bay windows (cumba) on a wooden frame. Facades are often plastered and painted in warm colours, creating a cosy atmosphere in the historical streets.

• Late Ottoman Period (End of 19th Century)

  A symbol of this time is the famous Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), erected in 1896. Constructed from cut stone with a balcony and clock faces on four sides, it reflects the influence of Western architectural trends and the empire's desire to modernize the urban environment.

• Modern Modernism and Conceptualism (21st Century)

  The region's newest architecture is represented by iconic public facilities. The Troy Museum is an example of modern conceptual architecture: the cubic building is clad in "rusty" coloured Corten steel, visually linking it to archaeological excavations and the history of the land. Another dominant feature is the "1915 Çanakkale" bridge — a high-tech engineering masterpiece that has changed the panorama of the strait.

Prominent Figures of the Region

The history of Çanakkale and the surrounding territories is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, thinkers, and heroes whose actions influenced the course of world history.

• Homer — Ancient Greek Poet and Storyteller
  Although the poet's exact birthplace is unknown, his name is forever linked to the region thanks to the epic poem "The Iliad". It was he who immortalized Troy (an ancient city in the territory of the modern Çanakkale province), turning it into a symbol of ancient history and literature.
• Aristotle — Ancient Greek Philosopher and Scientist
  One of the greatest minds of antiquity lived for three years (347–344 BC) in the ancient city of Assos (modern Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province). Here he founded a philosophical school and conducted the first systematic research in the fields of biology and zoology.
• Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih) — Ottoman Ruler
  The founder of the city in its modern sense. In 1462, realizing the strategic importance of the strait, he ordered the construction of the Kale-i-Sultaniye fortress, around which the city of Çanakkale subsequently grew.
• Piri Reis — Admiral and Cartographer
  The famous navigator was born in the city of Gelibolu (Gallipoli), which is part of the province. He is known for creating one of the first accurate world maps (1513) and the navigation book "Kitab-ı Bahriye", which describes the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea in detail.
• Heinrich Schliemann — Self-taught Archaeologist
  The man who proved that Troy is not a myth, but a reality. In the 1870s, he began excavations on the hill of Hisarlik, discovering the ruins of the ancient city and the famous "Priam's Treasure", which attracted worldwide attention to the region.
• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — Military Commander and First President of Turkey
  His name is inextricably linked with the Battle of Çanakkale (Gallipoli) in 1915. It was here, commanding the 19th Division, that he displayed outstanding military talent, stopping the advance of the Entente forces. Success in this campaign marked the beginning of his path towards creating the Republic of Turkey.
• Seyit Çabuk (Seyit Onbaşı) — Artillery Corporal, National Hero
  A legendary participant in the naval battle of March 18, 1915. According to historical chronicles, when the gun's lifting mechanism was shattered, he single-handedly lifted a shell weighing 215 kg, loaded the cannon, and delivered a critical blow to the British battleship "Ocean".