Hasankale Castle

Hasankale Castle, locally known as Hasankale or Pasinler Kalesi, lies on a hill above the town of Pasinler, in the province of Erzurum in Turkey.

The first fortification at this site was built during the 9th century BC by the Urartians. In 1048, during the 'Hasankale War' between the Seljuks and Byzantines, a castle at this site was taken by the Seljuk commander Ibrahim Yinal.

The castle we see today was built in 1339 by Hasan Bey, son of an Ilkhanate king named Togay. The castle is named after the Ak Koyunlu king Uzun Hassan, who reigned during the 15th century.

The inner castle of Hasankale Castle has a polygonal triangular plan and was protected by two outer walls. The walls and gate of the inner castle were built out of cut and rubble stones. In the inner castle, no buildings have survived. In addition to the main gate to the inner castle, in the western wall, there is a postern near the southeastern wall. It is said that there was a secret path leading from this postern to the river below.

Hasankale Castle is freely accessible. A very nice castle to explore.

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