Ardahan Castle, Medieval fortress in Ardahan, Turkey
Ardahan Castle is a rectangular fortress perched on limestone cliffs above the Kura River, featuring 14 towers and walls rising about 21 meters (69 feet). The structure displays multiple building phases with gates, interior layouts, and fortified passages built from carefully cut stone blocks.
The fortress was rebuilt in 1544 under Sultan Suleiman, incorporating earlier Seljuk foundations and architectural styles from previous periods. The site reflects how successive rulers adapted and transformed the structure across many centuries.
The fortress walls display inscriptions in multiple languages, including Arabic text above the western gate and Georgian writings on interior surfaces. These marks show how different cultures left their stamp on this place over time.
You can enter through the main gate on the western side, where exploration typically begins. The rocky terrain and steep passages require sturdy footwear and careful attention in some areas.
The fortress combines architectural elements similar to Rumeli Hisar with local building techniques, using precisely cut stones joined with traditional Khorasan mortar. This construction method is typical of fortifications from this region and period.
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