Kilye Castle

Kilye Castle, locally known as Kilye Kalesi, lies on the shore north of the town of Eceabat, in the province of Çanakkale in Turkey.

Nothing is known about the construction or history of Kilye Castle. Its remains show traces of Byzantine and Ottoman construction work, but Ottoman historical sources don't mention the castle.

Most probably the castle was built by the Byzantines in the early 11th century, during the rule of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. During that time the shores of the Dardanelles Strait were frequently raided by Genoese, Pisans and Lombards and the castle would have protected the Kilye Bay, which was the best natural harbor protected against the Dardanelles winds.

What remains today is a much ruined round tower, right on the water's edge. From this tower a wall runs up to the slope of the Kakmadağ hill behind it. I suspect Kilye Castle served as a close because the route from Eceabat to Gelibolu ran right through it. At present that route has become a highway and most of the wall now lies under it. On the side of the highway there is only a small stretch of wall that disappears in the undergrowth.

At present Kilye Castle is freely accessible. Not a very interesting ruin.

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