Castle of Kars: Difference between revisions
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|coordinates = {{Coord|40|36|49|N|43|05|23|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
|coordinates = {{Coord|40|36|49|N|43|05|23|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
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|built = 1153, 1579, 1616, 1636 |
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|builder = [[Vizier]] Firuz Akay (1153),<br/>[[Lala Kara Mustafa Pasha]] (1579) |
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|materials = [[Basalt]] masonry |
|materials = [[Basalt]] masonry |
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Revision as of 17:07, 6 October 2021
| Castle of Kars | |
|---|---|
Kars Kalesi | |
| Kars, Turkey | |
 Castle of Kars | |
  Castle of Kars | |
| Coordinates | 40°36′49″N 43°05′23″E / 40.61361°N 43.08972°E |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Ministry of Culture and Tourism |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | Visitor attraction |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Basalt masonry |
| Demolished | 1386, 1606, 1878 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Kars at Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) Caucasus campaign |
It was built in 1153 by Armenian Bagratuni dynasty The outer walls surrounding the city were built in the 12th century. The castle, which was destroyed in 1386, was rebuilt again in 1579 by and in 1616 and in 1636 it was restored twice and new elements were added to it.
Layout
The castle consisted of two sections, the internal and the external castles. The external walls were made of five layers. In addition, there were deep trenches made in front of it. The main castle looks to the east. The planning of the walls of the external castle is not quite quadrangle. The length of the castle's perimeter makes 3,500 m (11,500 ft), it was supported with 22 watchtowers, of which only seven remained intact until today.
The length of the internal castle makes 250 m (820 ft) in the east-west direction, and about 90 m (300 ft) in the north-south direction. The castle has four gates. The "Su Kapısı" (literally: Water Gate) or "Çeribaşı Kapısı" is situated in the west, "Kagizman Kapısı" orta "Orta Kapı" in the south and "Behram Kapı" in the east. The main gate located in the north opens up to a chasm in front of the castle.
The castle's watchtower can be accessed by climbing the stairs or along the stone paved road.
Just inside the main entrance is a shrine containing the tomb of Jelal Baba who died during the Mongolian invasion in 1239. Within the castle are military lodgings, an ammunition depot, and a small mosque that was rebuilt in the 1990s.
Today, the castle is administered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.[1]
12
During the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan in 2011, a Mevlevi Sama ceremony was held for the first time at the castle.[2]
References
- ^ Kars City Guide Archived 2012-01-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Kars Kalesi'nde ilk sema". Sabah (in Turkish). 2011-08-17. Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
External links
- Lonelyplanet.com Kars Castel
- Photographic survey of the Castle at Kars
- 60+ pictures of the citadel
- Kars Castle Trip Archived 2017-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
