Artvin (Livane) Castle

Artvin (Livane) Castle is located in the Çayağzı Neighborhood of Artvin city center, on the northern bank of the Çoruh River. It sits on a rocky outcrop approximately 70 meters above the riverbed, at the point where the Erzurum–Samsun highway enters the city. The castle serves as a strategic observation point controlling access to the city and the passage through the Çoruh Valley.

Artvin (Livane) Castle (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Naming

In historical sources, the structure is referred to by its former name, “Livana (Livane) Castle.” This name is also associated with the Livane Sanjak, which encompassed Artvin and Yusufeli during the Ottoman period.

History

The castle was constructed in the first half of the 10th century to monitor the Islamic–Byzantine frontier. Islamic sources date its construction to 939, while Georgian royal tradition assigns it to 937 and attributes its building to King Bagrat the Great of the Bagrationi dynasty. After coming under Ottoman rule, the castle underwent repairs after 1551 and was used as a small garrison structure to oversee the surrounding area. During the Republican era, restoration work was carried out in 2004, and external lighting was completed in 2012. Today, as it lies within a military restricted zone, visits are permitted only with official garrison authorization and escort.

Architectural Features

It is a small-scale defensive structure with a plan close to rectangular.

Walls and Towers: Parts of the rough-cut stone walls rising from the main rock outcrop still stand.

Cistern: Inside the inner courtyard is a vaulted water reservoir designed to collect rainwater.

Chapel: A small enclosed space within the walls is generally accepted to have been a chapel from the medieval period.

The castle’s materials and craftsmanship reflect both the local stone-working traditions of 10th-century Georgian architecture and later Ottoman-era repairs.

Conservation Status

Following the 2004 restoration, the surviving portions of the structure were stabilized and access routes were organized. Since 2012, the nighttime silhouette has been emphasized through the lighting project. Although its military protection status limits public access and high visitor traffic, it has contributed significantly to the preservation of the structure’s overall integrity.