Ginolu Castle

Ginolu Castle, locally known as Ginolu Kalesi, lies in the village of the same name, in the province of Kastamonu in Turkey.

The settlement of Ginolu was founded in the 5th century BC by Greek colonists. It became known as Kinolis.

The present Ginolu Castle was most probably built during the 9th or 10th century by the Byzantine Empire. Later on, during the 13th to 15th century, it may have been occupied by the Genoese. Around 1460 the area was conquered by the Ottomans. Apparently, the interior of the castle was later used by the Ottomans to produce linseed oil.

The castle sits on a promontory called the Sürtüven Cape, which runs from east to west. It guards a bay on either side; a small one to the west and a larger one to the east, which now serves as a village harbor. The north side of the small cape consists of a vertical cliff, with a cave at sea level. It is thought there might be a tunnel connecting the castle to this cave. The walls of the castle have been partly built up during the last decade. 

Ginolu Castle is freely accessible. The small castle itself may not be very spectacular, but I loved the small bay beneath it.

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