Turkey's ancient coastal castles

Turkey’s ancient coastal castles from the Seljuk, Byzantine, Ottoman and medieval eras are popular attractions for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Located at strategic spots along Turkey’s coast, they were mainly built in locations best suited to repel invaders attacking from the sea.

Yoros Castle, from the Byzantium era, attracts visitors because of its spectacular views of the Bosporus in Istanbul.

The Anatolian Fortress was built by Ottoman Sultan Yildirim Beyazid on 7,000 square meters in the neighborhood of Anadoluhisari where Göksu stream pours into the Bosporus in Istanbul.

Anatolian Fortress.

The Rumelian Fortress was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul in 1452.

The castle was built on the narrowest point of the Bosporus to prevent possible attacks from the north of Istanbul.

Its construction was completed in just 90 days.

Hereke Castle in Kocaeli in northwest Anatolia near Istanbul was built in the Eastern Roman Empire in 650.

Hereke Castle.

Kilitbahir Castle was built on the European side of the Dardanelles by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

Its purpose was to prevent European states from helping the Byzantine Empire during the siege of Istanbul in 1452.

Construction of Bodrum Castle started in 1415 and was completed in 1523. It was a military base until 1895.

The castle, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, also has an underwater museum.

Maiden’s Castle was built on an islet in today’s Mersin province in 1199.

It is the best-known structure in the ancient city of Korykos and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Babakale Castle in Çanakkale is located on the most western point of Anatolia. The castle served as a major base for the Ottoman navy.

Ginolu Castle is believed to have been built between the ninth and 11th centuries in today’s Kastamonu province.

It played a significant role during the period of the Venetian and Genoese colonization of the Black Sea coast. In Ottoman times, the fortress was expanded and repaired.

Filyos Castle in northern Zonguldak province is thought to have been built by the Romans.

Giresun Castle is believed to have been built by Pharnaces II of Pontus in in the second century B.C. and used against the Ottoman Empire for defense during invasions by the Trebizond Empire in the 15th century.

Ayas Castle in the ancient city of Ayas in the Yumurtalık district of Adana province is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the region.

The historic castle, whose construction dates back to the era of Alexander the Great, was built as an army base.

Şile Castle, which was built by the Byzantines, was used to resist attacks from the sea.

After the Byzantines, Ottomans used the castle for observation purposes.

Çeşme Castle was originally built by the Genoese in the 15th century to protect maritime trade between the Çeşme district of Izmir and Chios Island. It was enlarged during the reign of Sultan Beyazid II and became an Ottoman castle after additions and repairs.