Semehrek Castle

Semehrek Castle, locally known as Semehrek Kalesi but also as Vaşlovani Kalesi, lies south of the village of Madenköprübaşı, in the province of Erzurum in Turkey.

Nothing substantial is known about this small castle. Guesses about when, and by whom, it was built range from Urartian times to the 18th century. Most sources however seem to agree it was first known to have existed in the 2nd half of the 13th century. According to Wikipedia, it was then a property of the Georgian principality of Samtskhe. Hence its Georgian name of Vaşlovani (meaning 'apple grove'). Later it was apparently taken over and repaired, as suggested by building techniques, by first the Seljuks and then the Ottomans.

The castle is situated on a rocky outcrop on the left bank of the Çoruh River (the ancient Akampsis), at the point where the narrow valley of a small south-running stream opens up into the Çoruh valley.

Semehrek Castle is freely accessible, although there is no clear path to it. Just a small ruin, only an interesting site for castle-nerds like me.

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