Zile Castle

Zile Castle

Zile Castle, locally known as Zile Kalesi, lies in the center of the town with the same name, in the province of Tokat in Turkey.

It is thought that Zile Castle was founded by Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, in the 1st century BC. Although other sources state it was founded by the Roman general Sulla. As the town of Zile has already been inhabited since Neolithic times and the hill on which the castle was built offers a good defensive spot, I think it is quite probable that the castle had an older predecessor.

The town was said to have been founded by the Assyrians. In the 4th century BC, after 200 years of Persian rule, it was conquered by Alexander the Great. By then it was known as Zela. After his death in 323 BC, it passed to the Seleucid Empire. By 100 BC the town had fallen to the Romans.

King Mithridates VI of Pontus attacked and took Zela in 88 BC, and ordered the killing of all Romans living there. The Roman army, under Sulla's command, fought and defeated Mithradates in the First Mithridatic War. Mithridates attacked Zela again in 67 BC. His son, Pharnaces II of Pontus, attacked Zela again in 47 BC. Julius Ceasar, the famous Roman general, then defeated and routed the army of Pharnaces in only 5 hours, during the Battle of Zela. After this quick and total victory, Julius Ceasar allegedly then said the famous phrase: "Veni, vidi, vici.", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered".

Between 241 and 1071 Zile Castle changed hands many times between the Sasanids and the Byzantines until it was finally taken by the Danishmends. It became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1397. The castle became an important administrative center around 1574, taking over that role from Behramşah Castle.

During the Turkish War of Independence, local Sharia supporters seized power in Zile and attacked army barracks. The soldiers then were forced to retreat to Zile Castle. The Turkish army came to the aid of the besieged soldiers 4 days later and bombed the town, after which the Sharia rebels surrendered.

In 1336 a minaret was built on top of the castle gate. A clock was added to the minaret in 1875. At present, that clock has been out of order for many years. The castle has been restored in the last decade and is now a public park. In the castle grounds, there is a water tunnel leading to an underground cistern. Local archaeological finds are nicely displayed in the park and the restored Ottoman hall.

Zile Castle is freely accessible during daytime. The castle itself does not feel very historical anymore, besides the gate, but the small museum makes it worth visiting.

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Zile Castle

Zile Castle

Zile Castle, locally known as Zile Kalesi, lies in the center of the town with the same name, in the province of Tokat in Turkey.

It is thought that Zile Castle was founded by Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, in the 1st century BC. Although other sources state it was founded by the Roman general Sulla. As the town of Zile has already been inhabited since Neolithic times and the hill on which the castle was built offers a good defensive spot, I think it is quite probable that the castle had an older predecessor.

The town was said to have been founded by the Assyrians. In the 4th century BC, after 200 years of Persian rule, it was conquered by Alexander the Great. By then it was known as Zela. After his death in 323 BC, it passed to the Seleucid Empire. By 100 BC the town had fallen to the Romans.

King Mithridates VI of Pontus attacked and took Zela in 88 BC, and ordered the killing of all Romans living there. The Roman army, under Sulla's command, fought and defeated Mithradates in the First Mithridatic War. Mithridates attacked Zela again in 67 BC. His son, Pharnaces II of Pontus, attacked Zela again in 47 BC. Julius Ceasar, the famous Roman general, then defeated and routed the army of Pharnaces in only 5 hours, during the Battle of Zela. After this quick and total victory, Julius Ceasar allegedly then said the famous phrase: "Veni, vidi, vici.", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered".

Between 241 and 1071 Zile Castle changed hands many times between the Sasanids and the Byzantines until it was finally taken by the Danishmends. It became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1397. The castle became an important administrative center around 1574, taking over that role from Behramşah Castle.

During the Turkish War of Independence, local Sharia supporters seized power in Zile and attacked army barracks. The soldiers then were forced to retreat to Zile Castle. The Turkish army came to the aid of the besieged soldiers 4 days later and bombed the town, after which the Sharia rebels surrendered.

In 1336 a minaret was built on top of the castle gate. A clock was added to the minaret in 1875. At present, that clock has been out of order for many years. The castle has been restored in the last decade and is now a public park. In the castle grounds, there is a water tunnel leading to an underground cistern. Local archaeological finds are nicely displayed in the park and the restored Ottoman hall.

Zile Castle is freely accessible during daytime. The castle itself does not feel very historical anymore, besides the gate, but the small museum makes it worth visiting.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 512