Nevşehir Castle, Medieval fortress in Nevşehir, Turkey
Nevşehir Castle sits on a high rocky hill and features 42 arrow slits and two entrance gates built into stone walls. The structure occupies multiple levels stacked on the hilltop, creating a compact but formidable defensive position.
The fortress was built in the 1100s during the Seljuk period to protect trade routes leading toward Baghdad. It served as a key position for controlling this important commercial connection between regions.
This fortress displays traditional military architecture of central Anatolia, built to watch and control the important trade routes passing through the region. The structure shows how people designed defensive positions to protect commerce and settlements.
The climb to the fortress follows marked walking paths that lead from the town up the hillside. You can visit throughout the year, though the cooler months are more comfortable for the uphill walk and exploring the stone structures.
The fortress stands above what researchers consider the largest underground city network in the world. These subterranean chambers date from much earlier periods and create a hidden layer of history beneath the visible structure.
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