Zilkale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zilkale is a medieval castle in the Fırtına Valley (Turkish: Fırtına Vadisi, meaning "Storm Valley"), and one of the most important historical works in the Çamlıhemşin region (40° 55' 0N, 40° 57' 0E) of Rize.[1] The step rock where the castle is built, is 750 meters high from the sea and approximately 100 meters high from the stream. The castle consists of outer walls, middle walls and inside castle.[2] These are guardians quarter, chapel[3] and head tower. It is believed that the castle was built in 14-15th century.
[edit] Etymology
Zilkale < Zir kale < Persian zir "lower" + Turkish kale "castle").[4]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005 pp. 1209-10
- ^ It was built on the western skirts of Fırtına River (Turkish: Fırtına Deresi, "Storm River"), 15 km south of country center
- ^ According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel and built for Empire of Trebizond for local Lord of Hamshenis, Arhakel. BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington p. 348
- ^ Öztürk, Ö. Karadeniz. p. 1210
