Anavarza Castle

Anvarza Castle is an ancient castle in Adana Province, Turkey.

Anavarza Castle
Adana Province, Turkey
The castle from the west
Anavarza Castle
Coordinates37°15′03″N 34°53′50″E
TypeFortress
Site information
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRampart and the main building standing
Site history
Built byRoman Empire (?)
DemolishedPartially

Geography

The castle lies to the east of Dilekkaya village of Kozan district at 37°15′03″N 35°53′50″E. Visitors follow Turkish state highway D.400 and the highway to north for 26 kilometres (16 mi) and turn to east for 6 kilometres (3.7 mi). Although the vicinity of the castle is Çukurova plains (Cilicia of the antiquity) which is almost flat, there is a hill with steep slopes of about 150 metres (490 ft) high with respect to plains. The castle was built on the hill. The hill is accessible via a path from the south.

History
Main article: Anazarbus

The castle had been built to control the ancient city with the same name. The remains of the city (which is on the plains) lies between the village and the castle. The bird's flight distance between the remains and the castle is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). During the history the castle had switched hands and partially ruined several times (Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Abbasid Caliphate, Crusaders, Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, Mamluks of Egypt etc.). Archaeological evidence indicates that the majority of the fortress is of Armenian construction, including the small basilica of T’oros I (A.D. 1111) and the chapels. The donjon was built by the Crusaders in the 12th century.[1] Although the city was evacuated in 1274 following an earthquake [2] the castle was used by Mamluks.

Building
General view (c. 1860)

The height of the rampart is about 8 metres (26 ft). The length of the rampart from north to south is about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). There are 20 bastions. The east to west dimensions are much less than the length. The north bailey has not been surveyed.[2] The military quarters are confined to the south and central baileys, which are separated by the Crusader donjon.[1][3] The castle can be visited free of charge.[2]

See also

Other castles in the region include:


References
  1. Edwards, Robert W. (1987). The Fortifications of Armenian Cilicia: Dumbarton Oaks Studies XXIII. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University. pp. 65–72, 281, pls. 9a-18b, 287b–289c. ISBN 0-88402-163-7.
  2. Castles page Archived April 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Adana page (in Turkish)
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