Bitlis Castle, Medieval fortress in Bitlis, Turkey
Bitlis Castle is a fortress in the center of the city of Bitlis, built directly on a steep rocky outcrop where two streams run nearby. Its defensive walls are anchored into the natural rock and lined with arrow slits along much of their length.
The fortress is believed to have been founded around 312 BC, and the city that grew around it eventually took the founder's name. Over the following centuries it passed through the hands of several regional powers, each leaving some mark on the structure.
The castle once contained a mosque, a market, and living quarters all within its walls, making it a small self-contained town. Visitors who walk through the ruins today can still make out the footprints of these different areas.
The site is built on steep and uneven rock, so solid footwear is strongly recommended before starting any visit. Parts of the structure have been made accessible after restoration work, and going early in the day makes it easier to move around comfortably.
The rock on which the fortress stands is so sheer that no moat was ever needed to protect it. The natural cliff did the work that other fortresses required expensive engineering to achieve.
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