Korykos Castle

Korykos Castle, locally known as Korykos Kalesi, lies at the beach next to the town of Kizkalesi in the province of Mersin in Turkey.

Together with the opposite Kizkalesi Castle, a supplementary castle on a small island in the bay of Kizkalesi, this coastal castle protected the port of Korykos and of course their histories are linked closely together and almost identical. Korykos Castle was also the principal guardian of the strategic coastal road between the towns of Silifke and Tarsus.

In ancient times, there was an antique harbor city named Korykos or Corycus here. It is possible that the site of Korykos was heavily fortified prior to the Arab invasions, but there is no evidence to confirm this.

Around 1099 Korykos was conquered by the Byzantines. The erection of the castles can probably be credited to the reign of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. Except for reconstruction during and after the Armenian period of occupation in the late 12th century (far more extensive in the sea castle than in the land castle), the circuit walls and towers of both castles date from the early 12th century.

The emperor's daughter, Anna Comnena, tells us that the royal eunuch Eustathius was dispatched as an admiral and was directed to fortify Korykos and more southerly Silifke. The strategy was to defend it from any possible seizure by the Crusader Bohemund I de Guiscard. A large garrison was maintained at Korykos and Silifke under the command of a certain Strategus Strabo. Exactly when the Armenians occupied the Byzantine castles at Korykos is unknown.

By 1198/99 the site seems to have been under the control of Leo I, King of Armenian Cilicia, as Simon, the Baron of Korykos, was in attendance at his coronation. Following Vahram's brief tenure as Lord of Korykos (1210-12), the Hethumid Baron Oshin held the position until the late 1260s. In the 4th quarter of the 13th century, the Armenian historian Hethum followed Grigoris as master of the port. Some years later, he died tragically in a battle against the Mamluks. In 1318 Hethum's son, another Oshin, took 300 troops from the garrison at Korykos Castle and succeeded (temporarily) in driving out a band of Turks.

In 1360 Peter I, the King of Cyprus, assumed control over Korykos when it became clear that the Mamluks were soon to conquer all of Cilicia. Robert of Lusignan was dispatched from Cyprus to administer the port. With Cypriot assistance, the residents of Korykos were able to repulse a Karamanid attack in 1367. This fortified port proved to be a profitable toll station until its capture by the Karamanids in 1448.

Korykos Castle is built on the relatively flat ground of the rocky shore and is characterized by the almost square shape of a tight double trace with square towers. This is the only fully concentric plan for a fortification in Cilicia. In the southern corner there is a sea gate and the northeast side of the castle is protected by a deep ditch cut out of the rock.

At present, Korykos Castle can be visited for a small fee. This is a great castle ruin with lots to explore.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 8411

Korykos Castle

Korykos Castle, locally known as Korykos Kalesi, lies at the beach next to the town of Kizkalesi in the province of Mersin in Turkey.

Together with the opposite Kizkalesi Castle, a supplementary castle on a small island in the bay of Kizkalesi, this coastal castle protected the port of Korykos and of course their histories are linked closely together and almost identical. Korykos Castle was also the principal guardian of the strategic coastal road between the towns of Silifke and Tarsus.

In ancient times, there was an antique harbor city named Korykos or Corycus here. It is possible that the site of Korykos was heavily fortified prior to the Arab invasions, but there is no evidence to confirm this.

Around 1099 Korykos was conquered by the Byzantines. The erection of the castles can probably be credited to the reign of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. Except for reconstruction during and after the Armenian period of occupation in the late 12th century (far more extensive in the sea castle than in the land castle), the circuit walls and towers of both castles date from the early 12th century.

The emperor's daughter, Anna Comnena, tells us that the royal eunuch Eustathius was dispatched as an admiral and was directed to fortify Korykos and more southerly Silifke. The strategy was to defend it from any possible seizure by the Crusader Bohemund I de Guiscard. A large garrison was maintained at Korykos and Silifke under the command of a certain Strategus Strabo. Exactly when the Armenians occupied the Byzantine castles at Korykos is unknown.

By 1198/99 the site seems to have been under the control of Leo I, King of Armenian Cilicia, as Simon, the Baron of Korykos, was in attendance at his coronation. Following Vahram's brief tenure as Lord of Korykos (1210-12), the Hethumid Baron Oshin held the position until the late 1260s. In the 4th quarter of the 13th century, the Armenian historian Hethum followed Grigoris as master of the port. Some years later, he died tragically in a battle against the Mamluks. In 1318 Hethum's son, another Oshin, took 300 troops from the garrison at Korykos Castle and succeeded (temporarily) in driving out a band of Turks.

In 1360 Peter I, the King of Cyprus, assumed control over Korykos when it became clear that the Mamluks were soon to conquer all of Cilicia. Robert of Lusignan was dispatched from Cyprus to administer the port. With Cypriot assistance, the residents of Korykos were able to repulse a Karamanid attack in 1367. This fortified port proved to be a profitable toll station until its capture by the Karamanids in 1448.

Korykos Castle is built on the relatively flat ground of the rocky shore and is characterized by the almost square shape of a tight double trace with square towers. This is the only fully concentric plan for a fortification in Cilicia. In the southern corner there is a sea gate and the northeast side of the castle is protected by a deep ditch cut out of the rock.

At present, Korykos Castle can be visited for a small fee. This is a great castle ruin with lots to explore.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 8411