Turkey · 5th century
Ardanuç Castle ranks #6,692 of 9,040 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #88 of the 128 mapped in Turkey. Founded c. 401, it is older than 97% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 37 atlas entries founded in the 5th century. 2 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Batumi, 67 km away. See how Turkey compares in the castle statistics.
Ardanuç Castle (Georgian: არტანუჯის ციხე; pronounced "art'anujis tsih'e") is a castle remaining from the Georgians from the Middle Ages, in the historical region of Klarjeti, in what is today the town of Ardanuç in Artvin Province. In Turkish sources it also appears as Gevhernik Castle. The name Gevhernik must come from the Persian "Gevher-i Nik" (Fine Jewel). The Persian "gevher" (ﮔﻬﺮ) means jewel, pearl and the like. "Nik" (ﻧﻴﻚ) means fine, beautiful.
The castle-town of Ardanuç was the centre of the historical region of Klarjeti. The castle lies on the left bank of the Ardanuç Stream. Inside the castle there is a church in a ruined state known as the Petre-Pavle Church. Outside the castle, in the old urban settlement called Adakale, is the Artanuji Church.
Machine-translated from “Ardanuç Kalesi” on the Turkish Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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