Kayseri Castle

Kayseri Castle is a significant military and architectural structure located in the center of Kayseri province in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia Region, bearing traces of many civilizations throughout history. The castle has been a decisive element in Kayseri’s historical development, both in terms of defense and urbanization.

History

The earliest known information about Kayseri Castle dates back to coins minted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Gordian III in the 3rd century AD. In the 6th century, Byzantine Emperor Justinianus narrowed the city walls to make them more defensible. The city was captured in 647 by the Umayyad Caliph Muawiya but soon returned to Byzantine control. Turkish rule began in 1067 when Emir Afşin Bey took the city.

Subsequently, the castle and city were governed successively by the Danişmendids, Anatolian Seljuks, Eratnalılar, Kadı Burhaneddin Ahmed, Dulkadiroğulları, Karamanoğulları, and the Ottomans. The city was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1398, temporarily passed back to the Karamanoğulları after the Battle of Ankara in 1402, and finally brought permanently under Ottoman sovereignty during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmed.

Kayseri Castle (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Architectural Features

Kayseri Castle consists of two main sections: the Outer Castle and the Inner Castle. The Outer Castle is surrounded by walls reinforced with arches and vaults. It has several gates including Boyacı Gate, Kiçi Gate, Sivas Gate, Demir Gate, and Yeni Gate. Some of these gates were expanded during the Ottoman period, particularly under Sultan II. Selim. The Outer Castle walls were repaired during the reigns of Seljuk Sultans I. İzzeddin Keykavus and I. Alaeddin Keykubat.

The Inner Castle is situated along the northern edge of the Outer Castle and measures approximately 800 meters in length and 200 meters in width. It is strengthened by eighteen rectangular towers and surrounded by walls three meters thick. Its two gates, located in the northeast and southwest directions, were supported by machicolations for defensive purposes. The mosque within the Inner Castle was built in 1465–66 at the request of Fatih Sultan Mehmed by Karamanoğlu Pir Ahmed Bey, and this mosque solidified the Ottoman identity of the structure.

The castle underwent numerous repairs in different periods. Restoration works were carried out in 1224 by I. Alaeddin Keykubat, in 1411 by Dulkadiroğlu Hüsamî Hasan, in 1465 by Karamanoğlu Pir Ahmed Bey, and in 1507 and 1553 during the Ottoman period. Details of these repairs are recorded in inscriptions and restoration registers. During the Ottoman era, the castle served as a military garrison, armory, warehouse, place of worship, and prison.

Kayseri Castle (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Current Condition

Today, the Inner Castle of Kayseri Castle remains largely intact. A large portion of the Outer Castle walls has been destroyed or completely removed. For many years, the Inner Castle was used for commercial purposes, with irregular modern shops built inside.

As a result of recent restoration efforts, the Inner Castle has been redeveloped as a cultural and tourist center. The Kayseri Archaeological Museum began operations in this area in 2019, displaying approximately 2000 artifacts representing numerous civilizations from the Neolithic period to the Ottoman era.