Kızkalesi, Medieval castle ruins in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Kızkalesi is a fortress castle standing on a small island just offshore from the town of the same name. The structure has eight bastions and defensive walls that surround the island's perimeter.
The fortress was founded around 1104 by Byzantine rulers and served as a defensive stronghold for centuries. Later, Armenian kingdoms took control and modified the structure.
The name comes from a legend about a maiden who lived here, and visitors can notice remnants of different cultural periods layered across the site. You can see how various civilizations left their mark through different construction techniques and architectural details.
Visitors reach the island by taking a boat from the mainland beach of the town, which is just across the water. The crossing is short and boats run regularly during the tourist season.
Hidden chambers with floor mosaics and a chapel were discovered beneath the ruins, showing the site was more than just a fortress. These findings reveal it later served as a residential complex for those who controlled it.
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