Kızkalesi, Medieval castle on a small island in Erdemli, Turkey.
Kızkalesi is a preserved medieval fortress built on a small island approximately 660 feet (200 meters) offshore in the Mediterranean Sea, featuring stone walls, eight bastions of different shapes, and two entrance gates that allow access to internal courtyards and historic structures.
Originally constructed during the Byzantine period by Emperor Alexios I Komnenos following the First Crusade in 1099, the castle was later extensively rebuilt and expanded in the 13th century by the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia under kings Leo I and Het'um I.
A local legend tells of a king who built this island fortress to protect his daughter from a prophecy that she would die from a snake bite, yet a serpent hidden in a basket of grapes ultimately fulfilled the foretold fate.
The castle is accessible by boat from the nearby coast of Erdemli, and visitors can explore the remaining ramparts, towers, and interior chapel while learning about its layered history through guided tours and informational signage provided on site.
The fortress combines Byzantine and Armenian architectural styles, with square towers from the original Byzantine design and round towers with rusticated ashlar masonry added during the Armenian reconstruction period, creating a distinctive blend of defensive military engineering.
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