Zilkale

Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley (literally: "Stormy Valley"), and is one of the most important historical structures in Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.[1]

Zilkale
Ramparts of Zilkale
Location of Zilkale
General information
TypeCastle
LocationFırtına Valley
Town or cityÇamlıhemşin, Rize Province
CountryTurkey
Coordinates40.92830°N 40.95463°E / 40.92830; 40.95463
Elevation1,130 m (3,710 ft)
Completed14th-15th century

The castle is built at an altitude of 1,130 m (3,710 ft), and sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Fırtına Creek (Turkish: Fırtına Deresi approximately 380 m (1,250 ft) below running at an elevation of 750 m (2,460 ft) southeast of it.

It is believed that the castle was built in the 14th-15th century. The castle consists of outer walls, middle walls and inner castle.[2] There are garrison quarters, and a possible chapel and head tower. According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel and built for Empire of Trebizond for local Lord of Hamshenis.[3]

Etymology

Zilkale: Turkish zil for "bell" and (Turkish) kale for "castle".[4]

Alternatively:
Zilkale: Persian zir "lower" and (Turkish) kale for "castle".[5]

Notes
  1. Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005 pp. 1209-10
  2. It was built on the western skirts of Fırtına Creek, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the torn center
  3. Bryer, Anthony; Winfield, David (1985). Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Centre Studies. 2. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. p. 348. ISBN 978-1597403177.
  4. BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington.
  5. Öztürk, Ö. Karadeniz. p. 1210
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