Karaman Castle, Military fortress in Karaman, Turkey.
Karaman Castle is a fortress ruin with three concentric ramparts and nine bastions made of stone, including four circular and five rectangular towers that form the defensive system. Each wall layer was designed to slow attackers and protect the innermost citadel at the center.
The fortress was built by the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century and later changed hands among the Seljuks, Karamanids, and Ottomans, who rebuilt it in 1465. These successive rulers left their mark through different construction phases that strengthened and modified the defenses.
The name reflects the region's long history of settlement and defensive needs across centuries. Locals view it as a landmark that connects them to the layers of rulers who controlled this strategic position.
The fortress sits at 1046 meters in elevation and is open to visitors who can explore the ruins and the defensive structures throughout the site. You can move freely across the grounds, though sturdy footwear helps on uneven stone surfaces.
After the mid-20th century, all buildings inside the outer ramparts were removed and the fortress was turned into a public park. This rare choice cleared the view of the pure defensive structures and lets visitors walk directly among ancient stonework without modern additions.
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