Sinap Castle

Sinap Castle, locally known as Sinap Kalesi, lies east of the village of Çamlıyayla, in the province of Mersin in Turkey.

The castle is situated in a region called Cilicia, which was the area of an Armenian kingdom between the end of the 11th century until the late 14th century. As with most of the fortifications in this area, neither its medieval name nor its history are known.

Sinap is more a fortified estate house than a true castle. It is an Armenian construction, most probably built in the late 12th or 13th century. As it situated close to nearby Lampron Castle, of which it has a clear view, is possibly fell within the fief of Lampron. It probably was the center of an agricultural settlement and housed the local noble with his family, while also protecting a nearby mountain trail in the direction of Gülek Castle.

The castle consists of a single rectangular keep with round salients at its corners. It is almost identical in appearance with another castle near Çandır Castle, also with the Turkish name Sinap. Around it are traces of small building foundations. It is situated on a mountain meadow in a tranquil valley.

At present Sinap Castle can freely be visited. To reach it you will have to drive for some 20 minutes over an unpaved road, best to be driven with a 4WD. A beautiful castle on an equally beautiful location.

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