Zilkale

Zilkale

Ramparts of Zilkale
Location of Zilkale
General information
Type Castle
Location Fırtına Valley
Town or city Çamlıhemşin, Rize Province
Country Turkey
Coordinates 40°55′42″N 40°57′17″E / 40.92830°N 40.95463°E / 40.92830; 40.95463
Elevation 1,130 m (3,710 ft)
Completed 14th-15th century

Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley (literally: "Stormy Valley"), and is one of the most important historical structures in Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.[1]

The castle is built at an altitude of 1,130 m (3,710 ft), and sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Fırtına Creek (Turkish: Fırtına Deresi approximately 380 m (1,250 ft) below running at an elevation of 750 m (2,460 ft) southeast of it. The castle consists of outer walls, middle walls and inner castle.[2] There are garrison quarters, and a possible chapel[3] and head tower. It is believed that the castle was built in the 14th-15th century.

Etymology

Zilkale: Turkish zil for "bell" and (Turkish) kale for "castle".[4]

Alternatively:
Zilkale: Persian zir "lower" and (Turkish) kale for "castle".[5]

Notes

  1. Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005 pp. 1209-10
  2. It was built on the western skirts of Fırtına Creek, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the torn center
  3. According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel and built for Empire of Trebizond for local Lord of Hamshenis, Arhakel. BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Centre Studies. 2 vol. Washington p. 348
  4. BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington.
  5. Öztürk, Ö. Karadeniz. p. 1210

External links

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