Boyabat Castle

Boyabat Castle, locally known as Boyabat Kalesi, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Sinop in Turkey.

Exactly when Boyabat Castle was built is unknown, but it is thought to have been founded by the Paphlagonians around the 6th century BC. Later it was ruled by Persians and Lydians. It served as a border castle between the kingdoms of Lydia and Pontus. Later again it became a Roman possession. The Romans restored the castle.

After the Roman Empire was divided in an Eastern and Western Roman Empire, in 395 AD, the castle became part of the Eastern Roman Empire; Byzantium. The castle was restored during the Byzantine era also. In the 11th century, the castle again became a border castle. This time between the Byzantines and the Seljuks. The area was captured by Gazi Gümüshtigin, leader of the Danishmends and vassal of the Seljuks, at the end of the 11th century.

It is said that the castle was restored after it had become an Ottoman possession in 1461, although it is also thought not to have been in serious use since around 1300. So, maybe it was quickly abandoned by them after it had lost its military importance.

Boyabat Castle is situated on a large rock, next to the Kazdere/Gazidere stream, which is a tributary of the nearby Gökırmak River. Its walls follow the outline of the rocks. Several subterranean tunnels and stairways have been discovered in the rock beneath the castle.

Boyabat Castle is freely accessible. A very beautiful castle, even though its interior is rather empty.

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