Trabzon Castle

The Walls of Trabzon, often referred to as Trabzon Castle, are a historic series of defensive fortifications surrounding the old town of Trabzon in northeastern Turkey. Although commonly called a castle, the structure functioned primarily as city walls rather than a standalone fortress. The site features origins potentially dating back to 2000 BC with Hayasa-Azzi or Syro-Hittite roots, but the visible standing sections were constructed and modified by the Roman, Byzantine, Trapezuntine, and Ottoman Empires. Built using cut stones repurposed from earlier structures, the walls extend from the hills behind the city down to the Black Sea shore, utilizing natural ravines formed by local streams for additional defense.

Historically, the fortifications divided the city into three distinct sections: the Upper Town, which served as the citadel and acropolis; the Middle Town; and the Lower Town. The Upper Town housed the imperial palace of the Empire of Trebizond and was protected by higher, thicker walls and towers, while the Middle Town was notably expanded by Emperor Alexios II in the early fourteenth century. Throughout its long history, the site witnessed the construction of various significant buildings, including a hippodrome, baths, and an aqueduct built during the Roman period to supply fresh water. Following the Ottoman conquest, a small mosque was erected adjacent to the former imperial palace within the upper section.

Today, large sections of these ancient walls remain standing, offering a tangible link to the region's layered past. While the northeast section has been demolished over time, the majority of the fortifications are open to the public for exploration. However, access to the specific remains of the palace in the Upper Town is currently restricted as the area undergoes archaeological excavation. Visitors can view Ottoman-era epigraphs discovered within the citadel walls at the nearby Trabzon Museum, preserving important historical records from the site's diverse eras of occupation.