Tirebolu Castle

Tirebolu Castle, locally known as Tirebolu Kalesi, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Giresun in Turkey.

The town of Tirebolu was known to the Byzantines as Tripoli. Probably because the ancient Greco-Roman town was situated on the coastal strip between 3 small promontories. Tirebolu Castle was first built by the Byzantines on the middle promontory, although there may also have been an earlier Roman fort here or nearby. This middle promontory consisted of a small, 25 meter high island, connected to the mainland only by a narrow isthmus.

In 1204 Tirebolu passed to the Empire of Trebizond. Later the town and castle fell into the hands of the Ottomans, who also used it as a stronghold. They called it Kurucu Kale. The Ottomans also fortified the west promontory, which later became known as Çürük Kale. I could not find any trace of that castle.

What remains today of Tirebolu Castle is actually only the inner castle. On the landward side of the isthmus, outer walls seem to have extended over a considerable area, forming the outer castle. None of these outer walls exist anymore, however. Connected to the west end of the castle, but on a lower level, is an additional bastion with cannon ports, probably dating back to the 19th century. Inside the castle stood a little church, probably later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans.

Tirebolu Castle is freely accessible. A very nice castle.

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