Historical Erzincan Gate

Historical Erzincan Gate is the only surviving architectural structure from the Historical Erzincan Castle that has reached the present day in its entirety, located in the Beybağı Neighborhood of Erzincan city center.

Historical Erzincan Gate (generated by artificial intelligence)

History and Restorations

Although the exact date of the gate’s initial construction is unknown, it is believed to date back to the 10th century or earlier. The structure was used by various civilizations that ruled the region, including the Mengujekids, Anatolian Seljuks, Ilkhanids, Eretnids, Akkoyunlus, and Ottomans.^【1】

Some documented restoration works throughout its history include the following:

Seljuk Period: It was reinforced by Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad in response to the threat of Mongol invasion.

Akkoyunlu Period: It was restored in 1455 by Uzun Hasan.

Ottoman Period: It underwent various repairs during the reigns of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and subsequent rulers.

Architectural Features

The structure is a rectangular prismatic masonry mass built with regularly cut facing stones. Its architectural details are as follows:

North Facade: This facade features pentagonal towers at each corner and is designed with a pointed arch. The entrance is through a flattened archway located at the center of this facade.

Interior Space: The square-plan interior is covered by a brick-built pointed barrel vault oriented north-south. At the center of the vault is a square-section ventilation opening.

Material: Reused stones, known as "devşirme taşlar," were incorporated into the construction in various places; for example, one stone on the eastern facade bears a nine-pointed star motif.

Historical Witnesses and Current Condition

The castle and its gate are mentioned in the works of 15th-century Spanish envoy Clavijo, 16th-century miniaturist Matrakçı Nasuh, and 17th-century traveler Evliya Çelebi.^【2】 Evliya Çelebi noted that entry to the city was through an iron gate, with a moat and bridge located in front of it.

Historical Erzincan Castle as depicted by miniaturist Matrakçı Nasuh (generated by artificial intelligence)

In the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, the structure suffered major damage and is currently isolated from its historical surroundings. Data from 2018 indicate that despite being a registered protected cultural asset, the building was used for a time as a warehouse, stable, and hay storage, with visible stone removal and detachment. Approximately 30 meters to the west of the gate, the remains of the Taş Burç, believed to have once served as the donjon (inner keep tower), still exist.