Once a beacon of military education now a landmark. The Kuleli Military High School stands proudly on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Let’s delve into the captivating story of this iconic institution.
The Kuleli Military High School was founded in 1845 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I. It was initially known as Mekteb-i Fünun-ı İdadiye. The school first opened in the Maçka Barracks now part of Istanbul Technical University.
Garabet Balyan an Ottoman Armenian architect designed the Kuleli Military High School building. The construction was completed in 1843. Originally it served as the Kuleli Cavalry Barracks.
In 1868 a decision was made to merge all military high schools. Four schools including Kuleli combined under the name Umum Mekteb-i İdadî Şahane. They were moved to the Galatasaray Barracks. This merger proved unsuccessful. The schools were separated again. In 1872 Mekteb-i Fünun-ı İdadîye and Deniz İdadîsi the Naval High School relocated to the Kuleli Barracks. From then on the school was known as Kuleli İdadîsi.
During the Russo-Turkish War the Kuleli Military High School was transformed into a hospital. Students and staff moved to the Turkish Military Academy. After the war the school returned to its building in Çengelköy. It shared the premises with the Askeri Tıbbiye İdadisi Military Medical High School in 1879. The Military Medical High School moved to Haydarpaşa in 1910.
During the Balkan Wars the Kuleli Barracks became a hospital once more. Students were sent to different locations. After the war the school returned. During World War I the school moved to the Prinkipo Greek Orthodox Orphanage. Following the war the building became a dormitory for Armenian orphans and refugees. This was due to a British request in the Armistice of Mudros.
In 1923 the Kuleli Barracks were given back to the Turkish army. This was a result of the Turkish victory in the Turkish War of Independence. The British had controlled the barracks for three years.
In 1924 the school became a civilian high school. It was renamed Kuleli Lisesi. However it became a military high school again in 1925. It then took its current name Kuleli Military High School.
During World War II the school was moved to Konya. The Kuleli Barracks became a military hospital with 1000 beds. After the war the school returned to Istanbul in 1947.
Until 1975-76 the school followed the Ministry of National Education curriculum. Afterwards it adopted a college system. The education period increased to four years.
After the 2016 Turkish coup attempt the Kuleli Military High School was closed. It was closed along with other military high schools. This happened on July 31 2016.
Many notable figures attended Kuleli Military High School. These include former Chiefs of the General Staff of Turkey İlker Başbuğ and Yaşar Büyükanıt. Also among its alumni are Hulusi Behçet a renowned dermatologist Cemal Paşa an officer and mayor of Istanbul and the Turkish Field Marshal Fevzi Çakmak. The famous Turkish presidents Cemal Gürsel and Cevdet Sunay are also counted as notable alumni. Writers such as Aziz Nesin and Ömer Seyfettin were also educated at Kuleli.
While you can’t enter the Kuleli Military High School you can admire it from the outside. Observe its grand architecture. Feel the patriotism that emanates from its walls. The Kuleli Military High School is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Turkish history and resilience.