History and archaeology / Castle
Kars Castle
Merkez, Kars
A basalt castle, the symbol of the city, built in the Saltukid period in 1152–1153 on a rocky hill dominating the Kars Stream valley.
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Its story
According to its inscription, the castle was built in the mid-12th century by the vizier Firuz Akay on the orders of the Saltukid ruler Melik İzzeddin. Destroyed by Timur in 1386, the building was rebuilt in 1579 by Lala Mustafa Paşa on the orders of Murad III; after the Iranian attack of 1606 it was repaired in 1616 and 1636, and it was damaged again in the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877–78. Besides the inner castle built of basalt stone, some towers of the walls that surrounded the city still stand. Inside the castle is also the tomb of Celal Baba, who is known to have lived in the 13th century. From the walls there is a wide view of the Kümbet Mosque, Taşköprü and the old neighborhoods of Kars.
Key facts
- Period
- 1152–1153; rebuilt 1579
- Admission
- Open area
- Getting there
- Kaleiçi neighborhood, central Kars
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
Location
40.61341, 43.09002
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kars_Kalesi | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Kars | https://goturkiye.com/kars/see | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/189989602