Nif Castle

Nif Castle, locally known as Nif Kalesi or Hamalι Kalesi, lies on a ridge, above the town of Kemalpaşa, in the province of Izmir in Turkey.

Nif Castle is said to date back to Roman times. The present remains however look to be of Byzantine origin.

Between 1440 and 1448 the Ottoman Sultan, Murad II, had two boys as political hostages. Those boys were the teenage Vlad the Impaler and his brother Radu cel Frumos. It is said that the boys also resided here in Nif Castle.

During the 17th century, Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman Turkish traveler, described the castle as a summer residence but that it was also used to protect the local population.

A nice castle ruin, although not much remains. The site is now primarily used by shepherds to herd their sheep, I encountered several friendly shepherds and their dogs. It is freely accessible.

Gallery