Bozcaada Castle

Bozcaada Castle

Bozcaada Castle, locally known as Bozcaada Kalesi, lies in the village of the same name, on the island of Bozcaada in the province of Çanakkale in Turkey.

Before 1970 the majority of the inhabitants of the island were ethnic Greeks. They called the island Tenedos. The Ottomans gained possession of the island in the 15th century. They called the island Bozcaada.

The island of Tenedos was already mentioned in the "Iliad", an ancient Greek epic poem dating back to the 8th century BC. The island was important throughout classical antiquity despite its small size due to its strategic location at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait.

There was already a fortification on the island before the 14th century, of undocumented construction and date. It may have been built during Roman times but certainly was used by the Byzantines. In 1377, the Venetians got permission from the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos IV Palaiologos to occupy the island. This led to the War of Chioggia between Venice and Genoa, which only ended in 1381 with the Treaty of Turin. This treaty stipulated that the castle would be torn down and that Venice would evacuate the island; all its inhabitants were resettled, mainly on Crete.

The castle remained a ruin and the island empty for many years, until around 1455 when it came into the possession of the Ottomans, during the rule of Mehmed the Conqueror. Realizing its strategic worth, the Ottomans had the ruined castle completely rebuilt.

In 1656, during the Cretan War between the Ottomans and the Venetians, the latter managed to capture Bozcaada Castle. They were expelled a year later, after which the Ottomans repaired and enlarged the badly damaged castle.

The castle was restored several times during the 18th century and it was fortified again in 1815, during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. Shortly later the castle was accompanied by a new fort; Bozcaada New Castle, built on the ridge overlooking the village and castle.

In the first part of the 20th century the castle was abandoned and fell to ruin. It was consolidated in the 1960s.

Bozcaada Castle has a polygonal inner castle and an outer castle, which was added after its reconquest in 1657. Inside there are remains of arsenals, a cistern and a mosque.

At present Bozcaada Castle can be visited for a fee. A very nice castle in a very nice village. A visit is truly recommended.

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Bozcaada Castle

Bozcaada Castle

Bozcaada Castle, locally known as Bozcaada Kalesi, lies in the village of the same name, on the island of Bozcaada in the province of Çanakkale in Turkey.

Before 1970 the majority of the inhabitants of the island were ethnic Greeks. They called the island Tenedos. The Ottomans gained possession of the island in the 15th century. They called the island Bozcaada.

The island of Tenedos was already mentioned in the "Iliad", an ancient Greek epic poem dating back to the 8th century BC. The island was important throughout classical antiquity despite its small size due to its strategic location at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait.

There was already a fortification on the island before the 14th century, of undocumented construction and date. It may have been built during Roman times but certainly was used by the Byzantines. In 1377, the Venetians got permission from the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos IV Palaiologos to occupy the island. This led to the War of Chioggia between Venice and Genoa, which only ended in 1381 with the Treaty of Turin. This treaty stipulated that the castle would be torn down and that Venice would evacuate the island; all its inhabitants were resettled, mainly on Crete.

The castle remained a ruin and the island empty for many years, until around 1455 when it came into the possession of the Ottomans, during the rule of Mehmed the Conqueror. Realizing its strategic worth, the Ottomans had the ruined castle completely rebuilt.

In 1656, during the Cretan War between the Ottomans and the Venetians, the latter managed to capture Bozcaada Castle. They were expelled a year later, after which the Ottomans repaired and enlarged the badly damaged castle.

The castle was restored several times during the 18th century and it was fortified again in 1815, during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. Shortly later the castle was accompanied by a new fort; Bozcaada New Castle, built on the ridge overlooking the village and castle.

In the first part of the 20th century the castle was abandoned and fell to ruin. It was consolidated in the 1960s.

Bozcaada Castle has a polygonal inner castle and an outer castle, which was added after its reconquest in 1657. Inside there are remains of arsenals, a cistern and a mosque.

At present Bozcaada Castle can be visited for a fee. A very nice castle in a very nice village. A visit is truly recommended.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 1449