Boğazkesen Castle

Boğazkesen Castle, locally known as Boğazkesen Kalesi, lies northwest of the village of Kaleköy, in the province of Tokat in Turkey.

Nothing is known about the history of Boğazkesen Castle, but its present remains seem to date back to medieval times. So, most probably, it is a Byzantine fortification.

The castle is situated on a hill between the valley of the Yeşilırmak River (the ancient Iris) and a tributary stream. The Yeşilırmak valley probably was an ancient route down from the Erbaa Plain, through the mountains, to the Black Sea coast. This plain can be seen, south from the castle, through a mountain gap where the valley opens up into the plain. Directly in front of the valley opening, the Yeşilırmak is joined by the Kelkis River (the ancient Lykos). There is also a ruined ancient bridge crossing the river.

In the plain, near the confluence of both rivers and probably built to guard the river crossing, there was the ancient Greek city of Eupatoria. It was later named Magnopolis by the Roman general Pompey. If it had any relation to the medieval Boğazkesen Castle is not likely, as the city disappeared during the Byzantine era.

The castle plan has the shape of something like a skewed rectangle. Its north and east walls follow the outline of the rocks. Its west wall is a straight line with two bastions in the middle. The castle entrance looks to have been in the south wall, and it looks like it was protected by a barbican. Up until the early 20th century, there was still a standing gate. It was topped by a lintel with a relief. This gate was then toppled with several pairs of oxen and its stones carried off.

Boğazkesen Castle is freely accessible. I liked the castle ruin but mostly because of its location. There isn't much to see in its interior. Beware of the cliffs on its east side and a couple of cistern openings. It now overlooks a village graveyard.

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