Atikhisar Castle

Atikhisar Castle, locally known as Atikhisar Kalesi or Gavurhisar Kalesi, lies south of the village of Kayadere, in the province of Çanakkale in Turkey.

I could not find any historical information about Atikhisar Castle. Architecturally it seems to date back to the 12th century and thus it would have been built in the late Byzantine era. Ceramic samples, found in and around the castle, date back to a period starting from the 6th century BC and continuing uninterruptedly until the 10th century AD. So it is probable that the present castle was built on the site of an earlier fortification.

The castle was built on a 40-meter-high bedrock, dominating the Sarıçay valley. Next to it, through this valley, runs the Çanakkale-Çan road. So it probably served to control that road and protect the ancient mines in the Sarıçay valley.

The plan of Atikhisar follows the shape of the bedrock and it seems to have had 2 defensive walls. Several towers and wall parts remain. The top of the bedrock was flattened and there are remains of 2 cisterns cut out of the rock.

At present Atikhisar Castle is freely accessible. Beneath it is now the Atikhisar Reservoir. A very nice forgotten castle ruin to explore.

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