Kuleli Military High School

Kuleli Military High School, located along the Bosphorus in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, is one of Turkey's oldest military educational institutions. This historic structure played a significant role in military education from the Ottoman Empire through the Republic of Turkey. Here, we provide in-depth information on the history, architectural features, current use, and educational role of Kuleli Military High School.

History of Kuleli Military High School

The area where Kuleli Military High School is located once housed a monastery, garden, and a tower during the Byzantine period. This space gained a military identity during the Ottoman Empire, as it was first used as barracks by the Janissaries under the reign of Sultan Selim I. Between 1520 and 1577, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had a nine-story pavilion built on this site. However, in the era of Sultan Ahmed III, the tower was demolished, and a major fire later destroyed the barracks entirely.

Kuleli Military High School gained its current architectural form in 1871 during Sultan Abdulaziz's reign. Throughout history, the structure served various purposes, often as a military hospital. In 1924, it was converted into a high school following the passage of the Law on Unification of Education, and in 1925 it received the name "Kuleli Military High School."

Architectural Features of Kuleli Military High School

Kuleli Military High School reflects the grandeur of Ottoman-era architecture. The building showcases a blend of Ottoman and European styles. Its two prominent towers and stunning waterfront location along the Bosphorus give it an impressive appearance. The school has been restored multiple times, with efforts focused on preserving its original design. The Turkish flag on the school’s grounds is also notable; this flag, erected in 2006, is the second-largest Turkish flag in the country, standing at a height of 43 meters.

Current Use of Kuleli Military High School

Kuleli Military High School ceased its operations as a military education institution in 2016. However, as of 2022, the building has been repurposed as an educational facility under the National Defense University, hosting some of the university’s programs. With this change, the building has once again become a center for military education.

Kuleli Military High School Anthem

Kuleli Military High School Anthem:

The sea is yours, the land is yours, the sky is yours,

May victory be your sacred aim.

Surge like torrents, ascend to the skies,

Rise above the peaks, to the horizons high.

Chorus:

Oh, KULELI, proud and honorable home,

Your aim is to lead the entire world forward.

Life awaits its voice from you, dear homeland,

Inherited noble blood from your ancestors.

May your crescent and star shine from the skies,

Let Turkish light cover the world wide.

Your name is renowned across this land,

Written in the book of the Republic grand,

You, sacred golden hearth, oh KULELI,

Guard the passion for valor and liberty.

Composer: Hamdi Ergüvenç

Lyrics: Kemal Yalçınalp

The Kuleli Military High School Anthem was written and composed during the 1927-1928 academic year and was first published in the 1935-1936 school yearbook.