Yilan Castle

Yilan Castle, locally known as Yilankale or Yilanli Kale, lies on a high rocky ridge next to a village with the same name, in the province of Adana in Turkey.

The medieval name of Yilan Castle and thus its history is unknown. Its present name means 'Snake Castle' as local belief had it that the castle ruins harbored lots of snakes. Also, when the castle was built is unknown. Its masonry, however, suggests it was built by the Armenians in the beginning of the 12th century.

It was built on the central and the uppermost portions of a limestone outcrop on the north bank of the Ceyhan river, and served to protect the medieval road between the towns of Adana and Ceyhan. From this location it has clear intervisibility with the castles of Tumlu, Anavarza and Sis. It consists of a lower, a middle and an upper bailey, several towers and cisterns and a chapel.

This is a great castle ruin. It is freely accessible, however you have to traverse a steep, rocky path and climb some rocks to get into the upper bailey. But definitely worth your visit.

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