Erzurum’s Historical Open Bastion
The historical “Ağzıaçık Bastion”, built in Erzurum during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, one of the important periods of the Ottoman Empire, attracts attention with its altitude of 2,390 meters. This bastion is located in a strategic location in the southern part of the Erzurum-Kars highway and has both military and historical importance.
Bastion construction activities, which first started during the reigns of Sultan Abdulmecit and Sultan Abdulaziz, intensified especially during the reign of Abdulhamid II. There are many historical bastions in Erzurum such as Mecidiye, Aziziye, Uzunahmet and Palandöken. Each of these redoubts was built for defensive purposes during different war periods.
According to the statements made on the social media accounts of Erzurum Governorship, the “Ağzıaçık Bastion” was built between 1884-1896 after the 93rd War. The construction of this redoubt was designed by Şahap Pasha in order to repel attacks that could come from the Hamam Creek and to stop the enemy against the possibility of exceeding the Ek and Uzunahmet Redoubts.
Ağzıaçık Bastion consists of five ambush rooms and consists of different sections such as the moat surrounding it, the entrance building, the main bastion, artillery and ambush rooms. All these sections were planned to increase the military functionality of the redoubt. The bastion still maintains its magnificence today, both with its architecture and strategic location.
Finally, the historical Gaping Bastion was also revealed through drone imaging. These images once again emphasize the magnificence and historical importance of the bastion.
