Karaköy Castle

Karaköy Castle, locally known as Karaköy Kalesi, Ilgın Kalesi or Çetmi'nin Kalesi, lies southwest of the village of Karaköy, in the province of Konya in Turkey.

Nothing is known about the history of Karaköy Castle. Based on its architectural remains, it is thought to date back to Hellenistic times. In this region, that means the period between the 3rd century BC until around 50 BC.

The castle actually is one of two fortifications on this hill. Karaköy Castle is situated on the slope of a higher hill. On top of this hill once stood an even earlier fortification, dating back to the Iron Age. Therefore Karaköy Castle is sometimes also called the Karaköy Lower Castle. Archaeological research showed that the Karaköy Upper Castle had a circular plan and was equipped with 26 semicircular towers. Maybe that was a Hittite fortification? Because there is also a Hittite religious pool; the Yalburt Hittite Water Monument, only some 17 km north. Nothing visible of this upper castle remains today.

If the present ruin ever was a real fortification, I don't know. Even though it is near the site of an earlier true fortification, and it is strategically situated to command the surrounding area, I still have my doubts. Because, building your castle with a higher vantage point for your enemy to attack you from, right behind your back is not defensive logic. Also, there is a water source beneath it, next to the road, so perhaps it was more a kind of religious site?

Karaköy Castle is freely accessible. Not a very interesting site castle-wise, but a nice seemingly forgotten archaeological site. And I always like the look of this kind of masonry.

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