Passengers going to Robert College arrive by boat at Bebek, a peaceful town on the Bosphorus. From there, they walk up a gentle path that goes past an ancient cemetery and under the shadows of the towering walls of Rumeli Hisar—a mighty fortress built by Sultan Mehmed II (Mohammed II) in 1453, during his famous siege of Constantinople Robert College a Monument of Education and Light.
The Mighty Castle Rumeli Hisar
Directly across the water, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, the Sultan also built a second castle. Together, these two fortresses controlled the waterway. Every ship passing by had to stop and pay a toll. The Sultan gave the European-side castle the name “Boghaz Kesen,” which means “Throat Cutter.” He had a dark sense of humor.
The ruins of Rumeli Hisar are as large and picturesque as any castle in Europe. The towers still stand strong even after nearly 600 years, although the floors and ceilings have collapsed, and the walls are partly broken. Over time, many stones have been taken away for other building projects Sofia Daily Tours.
Originally, the walls were 30 feet thick and 30 feet high. They were built quickly and with great effort. Mehmed employed 1,000 masons, 1,000 lime-burners, and 10,000 laborers. Each mason had to build two yards of wall in just three months. The engineers cleverly designed the layout so the shape of the walls spelled the Turkish word “Mahomet” (Mohammed).
Robert College A Touch of America in Turkey
While the castle is impressive, Robert College is the most interesting place in the area. This educational institution was built based on the American school model. If you visited the campus, you might think that parts of a university from Ohio or Illinois had been moved to Turkey.
The buildings are made of solid stone and are nearly fireproof. Dr. Washburn, the college president, lives on campus in a home built in the same style as the college. The faculty residences are spread throughout the area, both inside and outside the college grounds.
American-Style Education in the East
The main dormitory has a dining room in the basement. Boarding students eat all their meals there, while day students have their lunch. Like the rest of the school, it follows American customs rather than Turkish ones. The same is true for the library, dormitories, and the gymnasium.
The preparatory department has its own building, donated by Miss Stokes of New York, which cost $40,000. However, more buildings are needed. Every year, many students are turned away because there is not enough room.
A Great School with Even Greater Potential
Robert College has already done great and lasting good in the region. But it could do even more with extra space and funding. With just a little more support, this school could educate more students and continue to shine as a light of knowledge and progress in the East.
