Giresun Castle, Historic fortress ruins and park in Giresun, Turkey
Giresun Castle is a historic fortress and park on a volcanic spur above the city of Giresun, on Turkey's Black Sea coast. The spur runs from southwest to northeast and encloses a small area at the top of the ridge, which may once have served as a shelter or lookout.
The city, once called Kerasous, has been known since the 2nd century BC, and the fortress likely grew from Byzantine construction over older Greco-Roman foundations. In 1204, the region became part of the Empire of Trebizond, whose rulers strengthened the walls around 1302, before the Ottomans took control in 1461.
The ruins sit within the city and are used by locals as a place to walk and picnic, especially on weekends. From the rocky ridge, you can see both the old town of Giresun and the Black Sea at the same time, which gives the site a special position.
The climb up to the site is steep, so sturdy shoes are a good idea, and carrying water is helpful on hot summer days. The area is freely accessible and can be explored on foot without a ticket.
Most of the original gates and walls near the water were torn down in the 1950s to build a road and a port. The hilltop also holds the grave of Topal Osman Ağa, a local figure who played a notable role in Turkish history.
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