Sarvandikar

Sarvandikar (Armenian: Սարվանդիքար) also spelled Sarvanda k'ar (Turkish: Savranda Kalesi) is a medieval Armenian castle of the former Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in today's Osmaniye Province of Turkey. The castle was of strategic importance due to its position guarding the Syrian Gates.

Etimology

Sarvandik'ar or Sarvandakar (Armenian: Սարվանդաքար) in old Armenian language means "Rocky plateau".

Turkish settlers called this fortress Savranda.

Architecture

Sarvandikar is of typical Armenian castle design: an enclosed ward on the top of a steep rocky hill with horseshoe-shaped towers guarding the curtain walls. The location is so inaccessible that some sides do not need elaborate walls, as the steep cliff face is defence enough.

See also

Other castles in the region include:

• Yılankale
• Lampron

References

• Unknown crusader castles by Kristian Molin, Hambledon Continuum, 2001

External links

• Château de Servantikar en Cilicie - an article in French
• Servantikar at Forteresses D'Orient (French)

Coordinates: 37°08′56″N 36°27′33″E / 37.14889°N 36.45917°E