Sivas Castle

Sivas Castle is an ancient defensive structure located in the city center of Sivas in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia Region. This castle was built to protect and oversee the city. Human settlement in this area dates back to prehistoric times, demonstrating the strategic importance of the site.

Excavations conducted at the site known as Topraktepe have revealed that people have lived there since the 2000s BCE. These excavations were carried out in 1946 by the renowned Turkish archaeologist Prof. Dr. Tahsin Özgüç. Over the centuries, Sivas Castle has been used by numerous civilizations and served different purposes in each era.

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Historical Development

During the reign of the Seljuk Sultan I. Alaaddin Keykubat, the castle’s walls were repaired in response to Mongol threats. This restoration took place shortly before the Battle of Köse Dağ in 1243. An inscription from that period is currently on display at the Sivas Museum. Originally, the castle was surrounded by strong ramparts enclosing the entire city. These walls contained between five and seven gates. The most well-known gates were the Kayseri Gate, the Baghdad Gate, the Tokat Gate, and the Dolap Gate. These gates were used to control access to the city and safeguard trade routes.

Clock Tower and Reconstruction

In 1803, Alaaddin Paşa commissioned the construction of a clock tower within the castle. For many years, this tower served the people of Sivas by marking the time. However, over time it fell into disrepair and did not survive to the present day. Today, the Sivas Municipality is reconstructing the tower in accordance with its original design. The new tower will serve as a reminder of the past and breathe new life into the city’s history.

Castle Project and Tourism

Today, the Sivas Municipality is undertaking a major initiative called the Castle Project to revitalize the castle.

Through this project, traditional Sivas houses, artisan bazaars, boutique hotels, and pedestrian walkways will be constructed around the castle. The aim is to both preserve the historical heritage and promote tourism. In addition, the project plans to arrange the area surrounding the castle to function as an open-air film set for cinematic productions. Thus, the castle will become a center for cultural and artistic activities.