Kızkalesi Castle

Kızkalesi Castle, locally known as Kızkalesi, lies on a rock in a valley between the villages of Dağdibi and Iriağaç (also known as Pernek), in the province of Erzurum in Turkey.

Kızkalesi Castle together with its counterpart Erkek Castle forms a defensive system in a valley where two rivers meet. One river is flowing from the south to the north and the other joins from the east. Kızkalesi Castle is situated on the eastern bank of the river that is flowing from the south, and Erkek Castle on its western bank. Kızkalesi Castle lies only some 500 meters south of Erkek Castle.

I am not sure about the names of both castles. On the internet, both names are given to both castles, depending on which website I visited. The name Erkek is sometimes also changed to Oğlan, both these names translate to 'boy' or 'man'. The name Kızkalesi translates to 'Girl's Castle'.

Other than that the castles were active during the Middle Ages and especially in the Byzantine period, I could not find any historical information about these castles. If you know more, please mail me.

It is said that both castles suffer from illegal treasure diggers.

Kızkalesi Castle is spectacularly situated on a rocky ridge. It consists of an upper and lower castle. Especially the upper castle is rather difficult to enter because of the steep slopes. In the field below the lower castle stands the ruin of a square building which probably housed baths.

Kızkalesi Castle is freely accessible. There is however no real distinguishable path to it, you will have to find your way over the river and through the fields.

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