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Castles in Turkey

126 landmarks in the Castlemap atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 73 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in Turkey is Topkapı Palace, ranked #15 of 7,738 in the world — followed by Dolmabahçe Palace and Ani.

The Castlemap atlas charts 65 castles, 12 fortresses, 17 palaces & châteaux and 32 ruins in Turkey. They span more than 27 centuries — from Van Fortress (founded c. 850 BC) to Çankaya Mansion (1932). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of Turkey.

Map of castles in Turkey

On the map they cluster thickest around Istanbul — 26 within a 100 km day trip, then Mersin (16) and Adana (14). The northernmost is Sinop Castle, the southernmost Mamure Castle — about 689 km apart.

Planning a visit? Day-trip guides: Castles near Istanbul · Castles near Iğdır · Castles near Gaziantep · Castles near Mersin · Castles near Adana · Castles near Kars.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 126 landmarks mapped in Turkey, 73 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 12th century — 8 of them. 57 predate 1500 and 11 were built after 1700.

All 126 castles in Turkey

Topkapı Palace
Palace & château · 15th century · #15 worldwide · #1 in Turkey
The Topkapı Palace or the Seraglio, is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #51 worldwide · #2 in Turkey
Dolmabahçe Palace is a 19th-century imperial palace located in Istanbul, Turkey, along the European shore of the Bosporus, which served as the main…
Ani
Ruin · #89 worldwide · #3 in Turkey
Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
Walls of Constantinople
Fortress · 5th century · #91 worldwide · #4 in Turkey
The walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as…
Bodrum Castle
Castle · 16th century · #228 worldwide · #5 in Turkey
Bodrum Castle is a historical fortification located in southwest Turkey in the port city of Bodrum, built from 1402 onwards, by the Knights of St…
Great Palace of Constantinople
Ruin · 10th century · #234 worldwide · #6 in Turkey
The Great Palace of Constantinople, also known as the Sacred Palace, was the large imperial Byzantine palace complex located in the south-eastern end…
Rumeli Hisarı
Fortress · 15th century · #296 worldwide · #7 in Turkey
Rumelihisarı or Boğazkesen Fortress is a medieval Ottoman fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey, on a series of hills on the European banks of the…
Yıldız Palace
Palace & château · 18th century · #315 worldwide · #8 in Turkey
Yıldız Palace is a vast complex of former imperial Ottoman pavilions and villas in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, built in the 19th and early 20th…
Kafes
Palace & château · #362 worldwide · #9 in Turkey
The Kafes, literally "cage", was the part of the Imperial Harem of the Ottoman Palace where possible successors to the throne were kept under a form…
Beylerbeyi Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #373 worldwide · #10 in Turkey
The Beylerbeyi Palace is a 19th-century Ottoman palace located in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, on the Asian shore of…
Yedikule Fortress
Fortress · 15th century · #395 worldwide · #11 in Turkey
Yedikule Fortress is a fortified historic structure located in the Yedikule neighbourhood of Fatih, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Çırağan Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #400 worldwide · #12 in Turkey
Çırağan Palace, a former Ottoman palace, is now a five-star hotel in the Kempinski Hotels chain.
Ishak Pasha Palace
Ruin · 18th century · #13 in Turkey
Ishak Pasha Palace is a semi-ruined palace and administrative complex located in the Doğubeyazıt district of Ağrı province of eastern Turkey.
Boukoleon Palace
Palace & château · 5th century · #14 in Turkey
The Palace of Boukoleon or Bucoleon was one of the Byzantine palaces in Constantinople.
Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
Palace & château · 13th century · #15 in Turkey
The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus, known in Turkish as the Tekfur Sarayı, is a late 13th-century Byzantine palace in the north-western part of the…
Palace of Blachernae
Palace & château · 5th century · #16 in Turkey
The Palace of Blachernae was an imperial Byzantine residence in the suburb of Blachernae, located in the northwestern section of Constantinople.
Alanya Castle
Castle · 13th century · #17 in Turkey
Alanya Castle is a medieval castle in the southern Turkish city of Alanya. Most of the castle was built in the 13th century under the Seljuq…
Ankara Castle
Castle · 7th century · #18 in Turkey
Ankara Castle is a historic fortification in the city of Ankara, Turkey, constructed in or after the 7th century.
Diyarbakır Fortress
Fortress · 6th century BC · #19 in Turkey
The Fortifications of Diyarbakır are a set of fortifications enclosing the historical district of Sur in Diyarbakır, Turkey.
Çankaya Mansion
Palace & château · 20th century · #20 in Turkey
The Çankaya Mansion is the official residence of the vice president of Turkey and previously the official residence of the president of Turkey from…
Van Fortress
Ruin · 9th century BC · #21 in Turkey
The Fortress of Van is a massive stone fortification built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu during the 9th to 7th centuries BC, and is the largest…
Anadoluhisarı
Fortress · 14th century · #22 in Turkey
Anadoluhisarı, known historically as Güzelce Hisar is a medieval Ottoman fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey on the Anatolian side of the Bosporus.
Rumkale
Ruin · #23 in Turkey
Rumkale is a ruined fortress on the Euphrates, located in the province of Gaziantep and 50 km west of Şanlıurfa.
Yoros Castle
Ruin · 13th century · #24 in Turkey
Yoros Castle is a ruined castle dating back to Byzantine times that stands above the confluence of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea, to the north of…
Gaziantep Castle
Castle · #25 in Turkey
Gaziantep Castle is a castle on top of a mound in the centre of Gaziantep, Turkey.
Old Palace
Ruin · 15th century · #26 in Turkey
Eski Saray, also known as Sarây-ı Atîk-i Âmire, was a palatial building in Constantinople under the Ottoman Empire in the Beyazıt neighborhood of the…
Kızıl Kule
Castle · 13th century · #27 in Turkey
The Red Tower is a historical tower in the Turkish city of Alanya. The building is considered to be the symbol of the city, and is used on the city's…
Kızkalesi
Castle · 12th century · #28 in Turkey
Kızkalesi is an island castle situated on a small island in Mersin Province of Turkey. The ancient name of the island was Crambusa.
Zerzevan Castle
Ruin · 4th century · #29 in Turkey
Zerzevan Castle, also known as Samachi Castle, is a ruined Eastern Roman castle, a former important military base, in Diyarbakır Province,…
Zilkale
Fortress · 15th century · #30 in Turkey
Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley within the Pontic Mountains, and is one of the most important historical structures in the…
Ibrahim Pasha Palace
Palace & château · 15th century · #31 in Turkey
The Ibrahim Pasha Palace is an Ottoman imperial court residence of Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha.
Bagras
Ruin · 12th century · #32 in Turkey
Bagras or Baghrās, ancient Pagrae, is a ruined medieval castle in the İskenderun district of Turkey, in the Amanus Mountains.
Mamure Castle
Castle · #33 in Turkey
Mamure Castle is a medieval castle in the Bozdoğan village, Anamur ilçe of Mersin Province, Turkey.
Ihlamur Palace
Palace & château · 19th century · #34 in Turkey
Ihlamur Palace, is a former imperial Ottoman summer pavilion located in Istanbul, Turkey.
Kadifekale
Castle · 3rd century BC · #35 in Turkey
Kadifekale is a hilltop castle in İzmir, Turkey. The castle is located on the Mount Pagos which has an elevation of 186 metres.
Lampron
Castle · 11th century · #36 in Turkey
Lampron is a castle near the town of Çamlıyayla in Mersin Province, Turkey. While part of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the Middle Ages, the…
Kubadabad Palace
Palace & château · #37 in Turkey
Kubadabad Palace or Kubad Abad Palace was a complex of summer residences built for sultan Kayqubad I, ruler of the Sultanate of Rum.
Hoşap Castle
Ruin · 17th century · #38 in Turkey
Hoşap Castle is a large 17th-century castle located in the village of Hoşab, Gürpınar District, Van, Turkey.
Aynalıkavak Palace
Palace & château · 17th century · #39 in Turkey
Aynalıkavak Pavilion is a former Ottoman pavilion located in the Hasköy neighborhood of Beyoğlu district in Istanbul, Turkey.
Yılankale
Ruin · #40 in Turkey
Yılankale is a late 12th–13th century Armenian castle in Adana Province of Turkey.
Çavuştepe
Ruin · 8th century BC · #41 in Turkey
Sardurihinilli, also known as Haykaberd or Çavuştepe Kalesi, is an ancient Urartian fortified site located on a ridge on the northeastern edge of the…
Arsameia
Ruin · #42 in Turkey
Arsameia on the Nymphaios is an ancient city located in Old Kâhta in Kâhta district, Adıyaman Province, Turkey.
Castle of Kars
Castle · 12th century · #43 in Turkey
The Castle of Kars is a former fortification located in Kars, Turkey. It is also known under the name İç Kale.
Şeytan Castle
Castle · #44 in Turkey
Şeytan Castle is a castle in the Çıldır district of the Ardahan Province in Turkey.
Maslak Pavilion
Palace & château · 19th century · #45 in Turkey
Maslak Pavilion is a former imperial Ottoman pavilion located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz.
Palace of Lausus
Palace & château · 5th century · #46 in Turkey
The Palace of Lausus or Lausos, also known as the Lauseion, was a 5th-century building located in Constantinople that was acquired and owned by the…
Koz Castle
Ruin · #47 in Turkey
Koz Castle, or Kürşat Castle is a castle in the Altınözü district of the Hatay Province of Turkey, built on a small hill where the Kuseyr Creek…
Kilitbahir Castle
Castle · 15th century · #48 in Turkey
Kilitbahir Castle is a fortress on the west side of the Dardanelles, opposite the city of Çanakkale, where there is a corresponding fortress, from…
Aydos Castle
Ruin · 13th century · #49 in Turkey
Aydos Castle is the ruin of a summit castle. As the castle site, the 537 m high Aydos hill, the highest point of Istanbul, was chosen.
Palace of Antiochos
Palace & château · 5th century · #50 in Turkey
The Palace of Antiochos was an early 5th-century palace in the Byzantine capital, Constantinople.
Silifke Castle
Ruin · #51 in Turkey
Silifke Castle is a medieval castle in Turkey. The castle is in Silifke district of Mersin Province.
Afyonkarahisar Castle
Castle · 14th century · #52 in Turkey
The Castle of Afyonkarahisar is a historical fortification, which was built around 1350 BC and is located in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
Alara Castle
Castle · 13th century · #53 in Turkey
The Alara Castle, is a historic fortification located at Alanya district of Antalya Province in southern Turkey.
Mardin Castle
Castle · 4th century BC · #54 in Turkey
Mardin Castle is a 3,000 year old defensive fortification in the city of Mardin, Turkey. It is known as the Eagle's Nest.
Çeşme Castle
Castle · 16th century · #55 in Turkey
Çeşme Castle is a historic castle in Çeşme, Turkey. The castle is located in Çeşme ilçe of İzmir Province at 38°19′25″N 26°18′13″E.
Kayseri Castle
Castle · 3rd century · #56 in Turkey
Kayseri Castle is a castle built in antiquity and first mentioned in a coin during the rule of Gordian III between 238 and 244 AD.
Servantikar
Castle · #57 in Turkey
Sarvandikar, also spelled Sarvanda k'ar. It was the Frankish castle of Savranda and is officially known today as Savranda Kalesi.
Trapessac
Castle · 12th century · #58 in Turkey
Trapessac is a medieval fortress located 4 km north of the town of Kırıkhan in Hatay Province, Turkey.
Samsun Castle
Castle · 11th century · #59 in Turkey
Samsun Castle was a castle in Samsun, Turkey. Built on the seaside in 1092, it was demolished between 1909 and 1918.
Marmaris Castle
Castle · #60 in Turkey
Marmaris Castle is located in Marmaris, Turkey. The castle was reconstructed by Suleiman the Magnificent during his expedition against Rhodes.
Şile Castle
Castle · #61 in Turkey
Şanlıurfa Castle
Castle · 9th century · #62 in Turkey
Sinop Castle
Castle · 8th century · #63 in Turkey
Harput Castle
Castle · #64 in Turkey
Çandır Castle
Ruin · #65 in Turkey
Bozcaada Castle
Castle · #66 in Turkey
Bayburt Castle
Castle · 6th century · #67 in Turkey
Giresun Castle
Castle · 2nd century BC · #68 in Turkey
Parekhi
Castle · 9th century · #69 in Turkey
Amouda
Ruin · #70 in Turkey
Kalepark
Ruin · #71 in Turkey
Pertek Castle
Castle · 11th century · #72 in Turkey
Tokat Castle
Castle · 0th century · #73 in Turkey
Agjakala
Fortress · #74 in Turkey
Karaman Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #75 in Turkey
Amasya Castle
Castle · #76 in Turkey
Gülek Castle
Castle · #77 in Turkey
Tokmar Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #78 in Turkey
Meydancık Castle
Ruin · #79 in Turkey
Kozan Castle
Castle · 12th century · #80 in Turkey
Tortum Castle
Ruin · #81 in Turkey
Rize Castle
Ruin · 6th century · #82 in Turkey
Foça Castle
Castle · 6th century BC · #83 in Turkey
Ardanuç Castle
Castle · 5th century · #84 in Turkey
Ardahan Castle
Castle · #85 in Turkey
Riva Castle
Castle · 18th century · #86 in Turkey
Gözne Castle
Castle · #87 in Turkey
Anavarza Castle
Castle · #88 in Turkey
Estergon Castle (Ankara)
Castle · #89 in Turkey
Amasra Castle
Castle · #90 in Turkey
Çandarlı Castle
Castle · 6th century BC · #91 in Turkey
Castle of Şebinkarahisar
Castle · #92 in Turkey
Akçakoca Castle
Castle · 13th century · #93 in Turkey
Boyabat Castle
Castle · 7th century BC · #94 in Turkey
Şavşat Castle
Castle · 9th century · #95 in Turkey
Mut Castle
Castle · #96 in Turkey
Dağlı Castle
Ruin · #97 in Turkey
Rumelifeneri Castle
Castle · 17th century · #98 in Turkey
Sinap Castle
Castle · #99 in Turkey
Bitlis Castle
Castle · #100 in Turkey
Softa Castle
Ruin · #101 in Turkey
Maraş Castle
Castle · 1st century BC · #102 in Turkey
Mancınık Castle
Ruin · #103 in Turkey
İzmir Port Castle
Castle · 12th century · #104 in Turkey
Cizre Castle
Ruin · #105 in Turkey
Belenkeşlik Castle
Castle · #106 in Turkey
Birecik Kalesi
Castle · #107 in Turkey
Eğirdir Castle
Castle · #108 in Turkey
Peterek Castle
Ruin · #109 in Turkey
Jaki Fortress
Fortress · #110 in Turkey
Bolaman Castle
Castle · 19th century · #111 in Turkey
Babakale Castle
Castle · 18th century · #112 in Turkey
Ayasuluk Citadel
Fortress · #113 in Turkey
Tece Castle
Ruin · #114 in Turkey
Kavkasidzeler Castle
Castle · #115 in Turkey
Fortress of Jikha
Fortress · 14th century · #116 in Turkey
Doğubayazıt Castle
Castle · #117 in Turkey
Artvin Castle
Castle · 10th century · #118 in Turkey
Tygnis Fortress
Fortress · 9th century · #119 in Turkey
Akhiza Castle
Castle · #120 in Turkey
Cemilli Castle
Castle · #121 in Turkey
Tırmıl
Castle · #122 in Turkey
Yaka Castle
Ruin · #123 in Turkey
Liman Castle
Ruin · #124 in Turkey
Amiuk
Fortress · #125 in Turkey
Güvercinada Castle
Castle · #126 in Turkey

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in Turkey?

The Castlemap atlas maps 126 landmarks (65 castles · 12 fortresses · 17 palaces & châteaux · 32 ruins) in Turkey — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in Turkey?

Topkapı Palace, ranked #15 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 15th century.

What is the oldest castle in Turkey?

The oldest dated landmark in the atlas in Turkey is Van Fortress, founded c. 850 BC. Earlier structures may have existed — this is the oldest with a documented founding year.

Where are most of the castles in Turkey?

They cluster thickest around Istanbul — 26 of the atlas's landmarks within 100 km, then Mersin (16) and Adana (14).

Which castles in Turkey are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Per Wikidata, 1 of the mapped landmarks holds a UNESCO World Heritage designation — inscribed in its own right or as part of an inscribed ensemble: Ani.

How many castles are there in Turkey?