Goat Tower, Defensive bastion in Sur, Turkey
The Goat Tower is a fortification built into the city walls of Diyarbakir in the Sur district. It features thick stone construction typical of ancient military building, with a design that allowed defenders to watch and control the surrounding area.
This structure was built as part of Diyarbakir's major defensive system, which developed over many centuries under different rulers. Each period of control left its mark through repairs and modifications to the walls and towers.
The tower takes its name from its distinctive shape or position within the walls. Walking around it today, you notice layers of stone and construction styles that show how different peoples adapted and rebuilt this structure over time.
Visit early in the day or late afternoon when light is best and fewer people are around. You can see and photograph the upper portions from several angles, but wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and the stone pathways can be slippery.
This tower's location at a specific point along the walls gave it a particular role in the overall defense network. Many visitors overlook this spot in favor of more famous locations, though it reveals important details about the military tactics of its time.
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