Giresun Castle

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

When exactly Giresun Castle was founded and by whom is unknown. The town was already known since the 2nd century B.C and was originally known as Kerasous. The present remains of the castle probably date back to Byzantine times, built upon Greco-Roman foundations. It passed to the Empire of Trebizond in 1204.

It was probably strengthened or even rebuilt in 1302 by the Emperor of Trebizond; Alexios II Megas Komnenos, after he had defeated a Turkoman invasion force that had ransacked Kerasous. Later during the 14th century it was again taken by Turkic forces for a short time. After the fall of Trebizond in 1461, Kerasous definitely became Ottoman territory. According to traditions, however, Kerasous held out for several more months or even years before succumbing to an Ottoman blockade.

By 1923 the city was known as Kerasounta, when it was renamed Giresun.

Giresun Castle is situated on a volcanic spur, some 130 meters at its highest point, roughly running from southwest to northeast, forming a sort of peninsula. On top of the ridge stood an enclosure which probably served as a keep. The rest of the castle was essentially a long city wall, running from one shore to the other, with the keep connected to its midsection. The walls and gates that would have stood near the shores are all gone, as they were demolished in the 1950s for the construction of a road and a port.

Giresun Castle is freely accessible and is now part of a municipal park where the locals love to go for picknicks. There is not much architectural detail to be seen, but the views over the sea and city are very nice.

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