Historic Hamidiye fortification in Çanakkale undergoing restoration

Restoration work is underway to preserve the Anatolian Hamidiye Fortification, which served as the headquarters of artillery units during the Gallipoli Campaigns, and to carry it into the future. Built in the early 1890s by Sultan Abdulhamid II to ensure the security of the Dardanelles, the fortification played a key role during the Gallipoli Campaigns as an artillery command center. Due to the quality of its artillery at the time, the Anatolian Hamidiye Fortification was considered one of the strongest defensive structures of the Dardanelles and was among the primary targets of the Allied naval forces on March 18, 1915. The site was first restored in 2018 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Since then, the 10 ammunition depots (bonets) that make up the Anatolian Hamidiye Fortification have been serving as the Gallipoli Wars History Museum. Over time, the historic structure suffered wear due to geographical conditions and exposure to the sea. As a result, the Gallipoli Historical Site Directorate launched a new restoration project. In the first phase, work focused on bonets numbered 9 and 10. To ensure roof waterproofing, galvanized steel gutters were installed and water was drained using submersible pumps. The roofs were covered with non-slip materials and soil fill, old cement layers were removed, plaster repairs were carried out, and coarse and fine hydraulic lime plaster was applied to the exterior walls. After excavation works in interior rooms, corridors, and along exterior walls, separate core samples were taken from each section. Following plaster scraping on interior walls, joint opening, surface cleaning, and joint filling were performed on brick ceilings and stone walls. Subsequently, waterproofing up to 1.5 meters in height was applied using two layers of reinforced repair mortar. A coastal protection structure measuring 440 meters in length, 8 meters in width, and an average height of 2 meters was built, leaving a 3.5-meter gap between the old stone walls. Drainage pipes with a diameter of 40 centimeters were placed at certain points to allow water discharge, and rubble stone walls were built along the inner surface. Restoration work will continue on the remaining bonets following the completion of work on bonets 9 and 10, with the entire project planned to be completed by the end of the year. Gallipoli Historical Site Director İsmail Kaşdemir said the Anatolian Hamidiye Fortification is a direct witness to the Gallipoli Campaigns. He noted that coastal structures are particularly difficult to preserve due to waves and harsh conditions, adding that the newly built barrier will protect the site from the sea. Kaşdemir stated that the restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, after which the Anatolian Hamidiye Fortification will be reopened to the public. He also emphasized that the site functions like a national park for the city, hosting various events, and said the project will help preserve this historic location and pass it on to future generations.