# Kastamonu Castle

- **Country:** Turkey
- **Century Built:** Byzantine Empire
- **Location Text:** Kastamonu Province

Kastamonu Castle, known locally as Kastamonu Kalesi, is a medieval stone fortress located within the urban fabric of Kastamonu, Turkey. Situated slightly southwest of the city center at an elevation of approximately 860 meters, the structure commands a strategic view over the surrounding area. While the original complex once featured extensive fortification walls encircling the entire city, only the inner castle remains partially standing today. This surviving section dates primarily to the Candarid era and measures roughly 155 meters from north to south, with a width varying between 30 and 50 meters. The ruins still feature fifteen bastions and evidence of a secret passage that historically connected the inner stronghold to the outer defenses.

The historical significance of the site is profound, originating in the 10th century under Byzantine commander Manuel Erotikos Komnenos. He constructed the fortress, originally named Kastra Komnenon or Castle of the Komnenoi, a title that eventually evolved into the modern name of the city itself. Over the centuries, control of the castle shifted through several major powers, including the Seljuks of Rum, the Candarids, and finally the Ottoman Empire. Its long tenure as a military stronghold highlights its importance in the regional defense strategies of Anatolia throughout the medieval and early modern periods.

In terms of current condition, the castle suffered significant damage during the 1943 Tosya–Ladik earthquake, which destroyed a portion of the structure. However, efforts to preserve this historical landmark were undertaken by the Kastamonu municipality, which performed partial restoration work in 2005. Today, it stands as a ruined but culturally vital site, categorized among the former buildings and Byzantine fortifications of Turkey. Visitors can explore the remnants of the inner castle, which serves as a tangible link to the region's complex history involving Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman influences.

![Photo of Kastamonu Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Kastamonu_Kalesi2.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kastamonu_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)