Amasra Castle

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

The town of Amasra was already mentioned by Homer as Sesamus. Later, during the 3rd century BC, when the town was ruled by Amastris, the niece of the Persian King Darius III, it was renamed Amasra.

Amasra Castle actually consists of 2 castles; Zindan Castle and Sormagir Castle. The Zindan Castle is situated on a narrow rocky peninsula, running from east to west, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Originally, this isthmus would probably just have been a sandy strip between 2 bays, but is now completely built over. Zindan is more commonly called Kaleiçi/Içkale. The Sormagir Castle is situated on a larger and higher island, called Boztepe Island.

The site of the Zindan Castle was probably first used as the acropolis of the ancient town. To protect the town against Arab attacks, it was rebuilt into a fortress by the Byzantines, who then also fortified the Boztepe island. And as the island was only separated some 20 meters from the peninsula, a bridge, now called the Kemere Bridge, was constructed connecting the 2 sites. Because the north and west sides of the island consisted of cliffs, no walls were constructed there.

Amasra was sacked by the Rus' during their Paphlagonian expedition in the 830s.

During the 13th century, Amasra changed hands several times. First in 1204, when it was conquered by a Georgian army led by David Komnenos, after which it became part of the Empire of Trebizond. Some years later it shortly fell to the Seljuks, before returning into Byzantine hands. In 1263 Amasra Castle came under the control of the Genoese when they were granted trading rights on the Black Sea coast by the Byzantines.

The Genoese then extensively rebuilt and strengthened the castle during the 14th and 15th century. Their rule lasted until 1461 when Amasra was taken by the forces of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II the Conquerer. The sultan then garrisoned the castle with 100 soldiers and 2 ships to protect it against further attacks. Also, Turkmen from the Eflani region were settled here to Turkify the town.

The restored remains of Amasra Castle show lots of spolia and different kinds of Genoese coats of arms. The castle remains are also on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The remaining walls, with gates and towers, are now part of the fabric of the town center of Amasra and can freely be visited. A nice, although a bit touristy site. The small Amasra history museum is also enjoyable to visit.

Gallery

Zindan Castle

Sormagir Castle