Vize Castle

Vize Castle, locally known as Vize Kalesi, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Kırklareli in Turkey.

According to a plaque, dating back to the 2nd century AD, commemorating a restoration of the castle, it was first built between 72 and 76 BC. Then it would have been the acropolis of the ancient city of Bizye, the capital of the Thracian tribe of the Asti.

During its lifetime, Vize Castle was repeatedly enlarged and restored after wars and earthquakes. It underwent a considerable restoration during the rule of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, in the mid-6th century. Another important restoration was carried out in the Late Byzantine era under the Palaiologos dynasty. The castle ruins were used as a stone quarry by the locals during the beginning of the 19th century.

The castle occupied the broad top of the hill, running roughly from southeast to northwest, with the town occupying the southern slope beneath it. It consisted of an inner and an outer castle. The inner castle was situated at the southeastern side of the top. The castle may have been connected to a city wall circling the entire town.

At present the site of Vize Castle is freely accessible. A nice castle ruin in a nice little town.

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