Çeşme Castle

Çeşme Castle, locally known as Çeşme Kalesi, lies at the harbor of the town of the same name, in the province of Izmir in Turkey.

When Çeşme Castle was exactly built is not known. There may have been an earlier Ottoman or Genoan fortification here in the 15th century. It is however certain that in 1508, under the rule of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, the present Çeşme Castle was built. It was built to answer repeated attacks on the region by Venetians in the decades before and to protect the then important harbor of Çeşme. In those times the sea would have reached the castle's western walls.

In 1770, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774, the castle was repaired after it was bombarded by Russian fleets.

Çeşme Castle was built on sloping ground and has a rectangular ground plan. It consists of 3 baileys protected by 3 defensive walls.

A very nice castle. It houses a small museum about the history of the area and the Battle of Chesma, an 18th century naval battle fought in the bay in front of the town. Accessible for a small fee.

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