FATİH CANNONBALL FOUNDRY
Demirköy Fatih Foundry is located at the south-east direction of Demirköy town and it is 4 Kms away from the center of Demirköy town.
History
From the 15th century to the middle of the 19th century the foundry had made manufacturing of cannonballs for Ottoman Empire. The name of the town comes from the rich iron resources of town - “Demirköy” which means “Iron Village”-. The foundry was officially named as Demirköy Tophane-i Amiriye Company. Before, the conquest of Istanbul, the cannonballs had been made in this foundry. Some war materials and a part of iron components used in vessel, cannon, and gun making of Ottoman armies were produced at Demirköy Foundry. It is believed that, the foundry had the most advanced technologies of the period.
Preservation
The restoration of the foundry started at 2001 and it has been in progress since then.
Area Descriptions
Fatih Cannonball Foundry was established on a 10.000 m2 area. There are two different foundries at the site called as “Small Foundry” and “Large Foundry” At the “Small Foundry” which is 230 m away from the “Large Foundry”, there are 2 melting and fusing ovens.
In this complex, where iron casting was made with the latest technology of its period, it is thought that continuous production was made from the 15th century to the end of the 19th century. After completion of excavation works, it will be turned into outdoor museum and brought in Kırklareli tourism. It is envisioned that the revealed facilities are restored and the foundry is arranged to be an open-air industrial museum when the excavations which are under supervisiory of Kırklareli Museum and with the participation of numerous scientist from different universities, are finished.
References
According to the informations taken from the Kırklareli Directorate of Tourism and Culture.
