Ceneviz Castle

Ceneviz Castle, locally known as Ceneviz Kalesi or Akçakoca Kalesi, lies next to the town of Akçakoca, in the province of Düzce in Turkey.

Nothing is known about the history of this castle. Like its name 'Ceneviz' suggests (Ceneviz=Genoese in Turkish), it is thought to have been built by the Genoese. They had set up a string of trade posts along the Black Sea coast between the 11th and 15th century and the building techniques used in this castle resemble other Genoese castles.

Other sources however state that Ceneviz Castle was built by the Latin Empire between 1204 and 1261 after they had conquered Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade.

The castle was built out of rubble masonry on a cliff jutting out into the Black Sea. It guarded a bay on either side. Inside the castle are the remains of a cistern. It was restored in recent years.

At present Ceneviz Castle can freely be visited. It is used as a town park and a picnic site. A very nice castle ruin.

Gallery