Kestel Castle

Kestel Castle, locally known as Kestel Kalesi, lies in the town of Kestel, in the province of Bursa in Turkey.

Kestel Castle was built by the Byzantine Empire, probably during the rule of either emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos (1261-1282) or his successor Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282-1328). It probably served to guard the nearby city of Prusa (present-day Bursa) against Turkish incursions from the east. After the Byzantine defeat at the Battle of Bapheus it fell into the hands of the Ottomans, around 1307.

The castle, situated on a rocky hill, had been strengthened while being a Byzantine border fortress. Originally the castle would have been 3 times bigger than it is now. It was restored to its current state in 2013.

At present Kestel Castle can freely be visited. It is now used as a small park with a small restaurant. A not very interesting castle which I think has been restored too much, also it is quite hidden behind some apartment blocks.

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