Lamas Castle

Lamas Castle, locally known as Lamas or Lamos Kalesi, lies on a hill in the village of Limonlu, in the province of Mersin in Turkey.

Lamas Castle was most probably built sometime between the 8th and 10th century by the Byzantine Empire. It was built on a limestone hill on the right bank of the Limonlu River (the ancient Lamos), on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the Taurus mountain range. This river served as the border between the Byzantine theme of Seleucia and Arab Cilicia and this area was used to exchange prisoners between them.

The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia took control of the castle during the 12th century. In 1158 it was recaptured without a struggle by the Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos, who was on a punitive expedition through Cilicia. The Armenians simply returned after the Byzantine army had gone. Later that same century, it was still reported as being in Armenian possession.

Later, Lamas Castle fell into Arab hands, after which it disappeared from historical records.

The castle has a rectangular plan. Spolia, taken from a nearby ancient city or necropolis, were used in its construction by the Byzantines. Later the Armenians adapted the castle to their liking. What remains today are remnants of some bastions and the circuit walls, which stand to a height of no more than 2.5 m.

Lamas Castle is freely accessible, but as I visited during summer, the direct surroundings and its interior were very difficult to traverse because of the man-high and dense growth. Not a very interesting site.

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