Overview:

Selcuk Castle (Turkish: Selçuk Kalesi) is a castle located in Selcuk, Izmir, Turkey. It was built in 1207 by the Seljuk sultan, Kaykaus I. The castle was built to protect the city of Selcuk from invading forces. The castle is currently undergoing restoration and is open to the public. It features an observation tower and offers some spectacular views of the city. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

The Selcuk Castle, located in Izmir, Turkey, is one of the most prominent landmarks in the region. The castle, which dates back to the 11th century, was built by the Seljuq Turks and covers an area of ​​over 50,000 square meters. It stands at the top of a hill, providing an excellent view of the city from its walls. The castle, which has been heavily renovated over the centuries, is now home to a museum and offers lovely views of the Aegean Sea. Inside the castle, visitors can see artifacts from the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman period and other eras. The castle walls have also been restored and rebuilt throughout the centuries, ensuring the castle remains an iconic structure in the region. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Selcuk Castle, also known as the Ayasoluk Hill Fortress, is an ancient castle located in the district of Selcuk in Izmir, Turkey. The original fortress was reportedly constructed by the Leleges, an ancient Anatolian people, in the 6th century BCE. During the Hellenistic period, the castle was further strengthened and renamed by the Roman Empire as Uludağ ("Great Mountain"). The Selcuk Castle was later rebuilt and expanded by the Byzantines, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the castle became a military stronghold and served as a base for Ottoman forces led by Suleiman the Magnificent. During this period, the castle was used to defend the city of Izmir from invaders. Today, the Selcuk Castle is open to the public and provides a glimpse into the city's turbulent past. The castle's main courtyard features a restored mosque dating to the Ottoman period, which was built in 1552. Visitors can also explore the castle's towers, dungeons, and galleries. The fortress offers stunning views of the city of Izmir and the Aegean Sea. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Selcuk Castle is the second largest castle in Turkey after the famous Konya Castle. 2. The castle was originally a Byzantine fortress located in the old town of Selcuk, built during the Roman period. 3. The castle was later used by the Ottoman Empire, before being reconstructed and restored in the late 1800s. 4. The castle is made up of three sections, each with its own towers and courtyards. 5. Many artefacts and coins have been discovered in the castle during archeological excavations, some of which are being displayed in Selcuk’s Archeology and Ethnography Museum. 6. The castle, along with many other ancient sites in the Selcuk area, forms part of the ancient city of Ephesus. 7. In the center of the castle stands the Ottoman Clock Tower, which was built in 1828 and hosts a clock from the 17th century. 8. The castle’s tall walls are decorated with a variety of shields as well as coats of arms from different Selcuk rulers. 9. The castle is also home to a large number of mosques, prayer rooms, baths and other structures that form the ancient city of Selcuk. 10. The castle was the final site of the Selcuk Empire, which was founded by a group of Turks in the 12th century and is sometimes referred to as the Seljuk Turks. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era