Eğirdir Castle, Defensive castle in Eğirdir, Turkey.
Eğirdir Castle is a fortress on a narrow strip of land jutting into Eğirdir Lake in Turkey. The remains include walls, gateways, and stone foundations scattered across the hilltop with views across the water on both sides.
Multiple civilizations built and rebuilt the fortress over centuries, starting with early peoples and continuing through Byzantine and later Ottoman rulers. Major destruction came in the early 1400s from which the site never fully recovered.
The castle sits at a crossroads between two lakes where merchants and travelers once passed through regularly. You can still sense this role in how the ruins are positioned and the paths that wind through the grounds where commerce once flowed.
The site is reached by a steep walking path from the town, so wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for a climb. The grounds are open year-round and on hot days bring water with you since there is little shade once you arrive.
The walls display distinct building techniques side by side because different peoples used their own methods without removing earlier sections. As you explore, you can literally read history in the stones themselves.
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