Zilkale

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

Zilkale
Ramparts of Zilkale
Location of Zilkale
General information
TypeCastle
LocationFırtına River Valley
Town or cityÇamlıhemşin, Rize Province
CountryTurkey
Coordinates40.92830°N 40.95463°E / 40.92830; 40.95463
Elevation1,130 m (3,710 ft)
Completed14th-15th century

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 River (Turkish: Fırtına Deresi) approximately 380 m (1,250 ft) below, running at an elevation of 750 m (2,460 ft) southeast of it.

It is believed that the castle was built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle consists of the outer walls, middle walls and the inner castle.[2] There are garrison quarters, and a possible chapel and head tower. According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel that was built by the Empire of Trebizond for the local Lord of Hamshenis.[3]

Etymology

Zilkale: Zil means "bell" and kale means "castle" in Turkish (Zilkale = "Bell Castle").[4]

Alternatively:

Zirkale: Zir means "lower" in Persian and kale means "castle" in Turkish (Zirkale = "Lower 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. Bryer, Anthony; Winfield, David (1985). Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Centre Studies. 2. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. p. 348. ISBN 978-1597403177.
  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
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