Pertek Castle

Pertek Castle is a historic fortress located in the Pertek district of Tunceli Province, Turkey. While its origins likely date back to the ancient Kingdom of Urartu, where it served to control nearby copper mines using distinct rock processing techniques, the current structure was established in the 11th century. It was constructed by the Mengujekids, a Seljukid Anatolian beylik, utilizing natural ashlar stone blocks. The architecture also incorporates clinker bricks and blue tiles, particularly within the southern walls. The name Pertek itself derives from the Armenian word Berdak, meaning little fortress, reflecting the region's diverse cultural history.

The site holds significant historical value due to its strategic evolution and dramatic environmental changes. Originally overlooking the old settlement of Pertek, the castle's surroundings were fundamentally altered in 1974 when the construction of the Keban Dam flooded the valley. This event transformed the location into an island situated five kilometers from the northern shore of the resulting artificial lake, near the border of Elazığ Province. During the Ottoman Empire, likely in the 16th century, the fortress underwent restoration and rebuilding efforts concurrent with local mosques such as the Sungur Bey and Çelebi Ağa Mosques.

Today, the castle stands as a resilient monument featuring two defensive walls, internal cisterns, and a northwest entrance. Historical accounts from the famous Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi note that the fortress once hosted a sculpture of an eagle, adding to its legendary appeal. Although specific details regarding its current public accessibility or preservation status are not extensively documented in available records, the structure remains a prominent landmark. Its isolation on an island within the Keban Dam reservoir offers a unique visual testament to the intersection of medieval military engineering and modern infrastructure development in eastern Turkey.