Pasinler Castle
| Pasinler Castle | |
|---|---|
Gatehouse | |
Interactive map of Pasinler Castle | |
| Location | Pasinler, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 39°58′44″N 41°40′53″E / 39.97896°N 41.68138°E |
| Elevation | 1740 meters |
| Built | Iron Age |
| Rebuilt | 16th century |
Pasinler Castle, sometimes referred to as Hasan Castle,[1] is a ruined fortification in Pasinler, Turkey. The historical name for the town of Pasinler, Hasankale (lit. 'Castle of Hasan'), is derived from the castle.[2] The site has been used as a fortification since the Iron Age.
History
The site features inscriptions and stonework from the reign of Minua.[3] During the Urartian period, the site was one of the most notable fortresses in northeastern Urartu, and it would have helped Urartian kings secure valuable resources in the region.[4] Later occupants of the fortress included the Byzantines,[1] Armenians, and White Sheep Turkomans.[5] Uzun Hasan, a 15th century Turkoman chief and possible etymological source of Hasankale, contributed to the fortification of the town and castle.[1][6] In the 16th century, the Ottomans rebuilt the castle, and it remained in use until after the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829).[6] The site is a ruin in the modern period.
Description
The castle sits on a large rocky hill at an elevation of 1740 meters and overlooks the town of Pasinler and the surrounding plain.[7] There are three sets of walls, the outer two terminating at the steep rock face without forming complete circuits. A gatehouse lies on the western portion.[6] The site also includes a water tunnel that travels through the rock to the Pasinler Stream below.[7][3]
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Early 18th century depiction from Tournefort
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19th century depiction from Théophile Deyrolle
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Tower with plain and river in background
See also
References
- ^ a b c Tourist's guide, Turkey. Ankara: Tourist Dept. of the Ministry of Press, Broadcasting and Tourism. 1963. p. 87. OCLC 1121455688.
- ^ Everett-Heath, John (2017). The Concise Dictionary of World Place Names. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780192556462.
- ^ a b Darbyshire, Gareth, ed. (2005). Anatolian Iron Ages 5. British Institute at Ankara. p. 25. ISBN 9781912090570.
- ^ GÜNAŞDI, Yavuz; KÜÇÜKYILDIZ, İshak (2023). "ERKEN DEMİR ÇAĞ'DA PASİN OVASI'NDA ÖNEMLİ BİR DİAUEHİ ÜLKESİ: BALTULHİ". Kafkas Ünivesitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi (in Turkish and English) (32): 779–814. ISSN 2149-0643.
- ^ Darke, Diana (2014). Eastern Turkey. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 374. ISBN 9781841624907.
- ^ a b c Sinclair, T. A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural and Archaeological Survey, Volume II. Pindar Press. pp. 228–230. ISBN 9781904597735.
- ^ a b Ceylan, Nezahat (2023). "Erzurum ve Erzincan Çevresindeki Urartu Dönemi Kaya Basamaklı Su Tünelleri II". Selçuk Universitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakultesi edebiyat dergisi (in Turkish and English) (50): 243–268. ISSN 1300-4921.