History and archaeology / Castle
Harşena Castle (Amasya Castle)
Merkez, Amasya
A castle on the summit of Mount Harşena, repaired and used from the Pontic period to the Ottomans; with its cisterns and rock-cut water tunnel, it dominates the city.
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Its story
The castle takes its name from Mount Harşena, on which it stands, and is also known locally as Enderun Castle. Its origins are traced to the Kingdom of Pontus; it was repaired by the Danishmendid Ahmet Gazi, the Seljuk sultans Mesud I and Alâeddin Keykubad I, and in the Ottoman period under Murad II. It is known to have had eight levels of defense from the river to the summit, 41 towers, and the Helkis, Saray, Midenos and Meydan gates. The most intriguing part of the castle is the Cilanbolu water tunnel, which descends by rock-cut steps. Cisterns and the remains of an Ottoman-era hammam can also be seen. Evliya Çelebi described the castle in detail in 1640. From the walls, some 300 meters above the city, you get a bird's-eye view of the Yeşilırmak valley, the Yalıboyu houses and the whole city.
Key facts
- Period
- Pontic, Byzantine, Danishmendid, Seljuk, Ottoman
- Best time
- Sunset
- Highlights
- Cilanbolu water tunnel, cisterns, tower remains
- Visit duration
- 1–1.5 hours
Trip purpose
- Free
- Photography
- Hiking
Location
40.65521, 35.82745
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://amasya.ktb.gov.tr/TR-59516/amasya-kalesi.html | https://amasya.ktb.gov.tr/EN-259004/amasya-castle.html | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3055260675 | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21524009