Castle of Kars, Medieval fortification on hilltop in Kars, Turkey
The Castle of Kars extends across 3,500 meters with thick basalt walls containing 22 towers, of which 7 remain standing at present.
Built in 1153 under Sultan Malik Izzeddin, the castle underwent multiple reconstructions after destructions by Timur in 1356 and Shah Abbas I in 1606.
The fortress includes military quarters, an ammunition depot, and a mosque reconstructed in the 1990s, with the tomb of Jelal Baba beneath the entrance.
Four gates provide access to the castle grounds, with two remaining operational for visitors to explore the fortification during daylight hours.
The castle required 100,000 workers during its 1579 reconstruction under Ottoman Sultan Murat III, demonstrating the scale of medieval building projects.
Location: Kars
Inception: 1153
Made from material: basalt
GPS coordinates: 40.61361,43.08972
Latest update: March 9, 2025 06:33
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