Yedikule Fortress was built in 1457, four years after the Turkish conquest of Istanbul, by building three new towers inside the city walls dating from the reign of Theodosius II (408-450) and incorporating three of their existing towers, two of which are the marble pylons flanking the Byzantine Golden Gate (Porta Aura), which was the most splendid entrance to the city. New walls were built linking all the towers and the fortress thus created become known as the Seven Towers or Yedikule.

The northernmost of the two rectangular section pylons of the Golden Gate was known as Armoury Tower. It was in a chamber in the other unnamed tower that Sultan Osman II the 'Young' was tragically murdered in 1622. The Pastroma Tower to the north of the Golden Gate was damaged in an earthquake and rebuilt during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730), so it was renamed after him. The southernmost tower is known as the Small Tower. The three Ottoman period towers are known respectively as the Millet or Treasury Tower, the Maiden's or Cannon Tower, and the Dungeon or Inscriptions Tower, the first two being spherical and the third prismatic. On top of the Ottoman walls are three turrets.

In recent years the fortress has been used for concerts, for which a concrete stage has been built inside. Portable stands seating around 1700 people are erected for concerts. The fortress is open daily except Wednesdays between 09.00 and 16.30. Concerts and similar events are held here with the permission of the Ministry of Culture.

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