Summary
Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley (literally "Storm Valley") within the Pontic Mountains, and is one of the most important historical structures in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province, within the Black Sea Region of Turkey.[1]
| Zilkale | |
|---|---|
 Ramparts of Zilkale | |
  Location of Zilkale | |
| General information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Location | Fırtına River Valley |
| Town or city | Çamlıhemşin, Rize Province |
| Country | Turkey |
| Coordinates | 40°57′32″N 40°57′44″E / 40.9589845°N 40.9622112°E |
| Elevation | 1,130 m (3,710 ft) |
| Completed | 14th-15th century |
The castle is built at an altitude of 1,130 m (3,710 ft), and sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Fırtına River (Turkish: Fırtına Deresi) approximately 380 m (1,250 ft) below, running at an elevation of 750 m (2,460 ft) southeast of it.
It is believed that the castle was built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle consists of the outer walls, middle walls and the inner castle.[2] There are garrison quarters, and a possible chapel and head tower. According to Anthony Bryer, it is a Georgian chapel that was built by the Empire of Trebizond for the local Lord of Hamshenis.[3]
Etymology edit
Zilkale: Zil means "bell" and kale means "castle" in Turkish (Zilkale = "Bell Castle").[4]
Alternatively:
Zirkale: Zir means "lower" in Persian and kale means "castle" in Turkish (Zirkale = "Lower Castle").[5]
Notes edit
- ^ Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005 pp. 1209-10
- ^ It was built on the western skirts of Fırtına Creek, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the torn center
- ^ Bryer, Anthony; Winfield, David (1985). Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Centre Studies. Vol. 2. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. p. 348. ISBN 978-1597403177.
- ^ BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington.
- ^ Öztürk, Ö. Karadeniz. p. 1210
External links edit
- All about the region
- Zilkale pics
- HQ Zilkale image
- About Region (in Turkish)