Kalecik Castle

Kalecik Castle, locally known as Kalecik Kalesi, lies northwest of the town of Araklı, in the province of Trabzon in Turkey.

I could not find any substantial historical information about Kalecik Castle. It was most probably a Byzantine fortification, of a settlement called Herakleia, after Heraclonas, the son of emperor Heraclius. Allegedly, Heraclonas was born in this area, when his father was here on campaign against the Persians in 622.

Perhaps it was an outlying post of another fortification, situated atop a plateau to the south, called Canayer / Buzluca Castle.

The castle is situated on a hill guarding a small beach beneath it. At present, only heavily rebuilt, low walls remain on top of the hill. Apparently there were also walls at the base of the hill.

Kalecik Castle is freely accessible as it is now a small but pleasant public park.

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