Kütahya Castle is one of the historical structures and is located in the center of Kütahya province, in Maruf Mahallesi, located. The Castle was built on a hilltop overlooking the city and was historically used during the Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. Kütahya Castle is particularly attractive due to its construction techniques from the Byzantine period and its strategic location. The castle consists of three main sections: "Upper Castle", "Inner Castle", and "Lower Castle". Each section contains structures and functions from different periods. The ramparts and towers that have survived to the present day were built using Byzantine rampart construction techniques, and it is understood that the castle continued to exist by being strengthened by different cultures.
Kütahya Castle (Kütahya Governorship)
History and Construction Process
The history of Kütahya Castle dates back to the Byzantine Empire. The castle, also mentioned in Evliya Çelebi's Travelogue, is based on the foundations of Byzantine ramparts. Believed to have been built especially in the 8th century, the castle was subsequently used by the Seljuks, Germiyanoğulları, and others after the collapse of the Byzantine Empire. During the Seljuk period, the castle underwent various repairs, and during the Ottoman period, it played an important role in military and administrative terms.
Kütahya Castle is particularly noteworthy for its Ottoman-era military structures. During the Ottoman period, the castle was strengthened for defensive purposes due to its strategic importance. Some of the military structures of the period can be observed in the "Inner Castle" and "Upper Castle" located inside the castle, with their towers and ramparts. With additions made during the Germiyanoğulları period, the castle was further strengthened. Structures such as the Germiyanoğlu Süleyman Şah Kale-i Bala and Lower Hisar Mosque built in 1377, also hold significant places within the castle.
Architectural Features
The architecture of Kütahya Castle bears the traces of different civilizations throughout its historical process. The castle is typically surrounded by ramparts, and the rampart walls are made of a mixture of cut stone and brick. The castle walls begin with structures from the Byzantine period, strengthened and added to in the later Ottoman and Seljuk periods. The castle is surrounded by a wall approximately 3 kilometers long. High and solid towers are located around the rampart walls. These towers played an important role in the castle's defense.
The "Inner Castle" located inside Kütahya Castle was generally used for administrative functions. Inside the Inner Castle, there is a mosque, various military structures, and warehouses. Also noteworthy in Kütahya Castle are the dungeons and armories used during the Ottoman period.
Archaeological Studies and Excavations
Kütahya Castle, as a structure that has hosted many civilizations throughout history, is of great archaeological importance. Excavations carried out at Kütahya Castle in 2020 and 2021 have led to the discovery of important finds related to the castle's past. These excavations were carried out in various parts of the castle, especially around the towers and rampart walls. During the 2020 excavations, various drillings were carried out as part of the lighting project carried out in the castle, and channel works were carried out without damaging the castle. During the works, ceramics, silver coins, and glass artifacts from the Byzantine, Ottoman, and Beylik periods were found.
Excavation Works (Anadolu Agency)
In 2021, excavation work continued more systematically, and openings were made especially around the 28th and 29th towers of the Upper Castle. During these excavations, wall systems built in brick and rough stone arrangements were unearthed. The finds include ceramics, baked clay pipes, and various metal artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine, Beylik, and Ottoman periods. Also, during the restoration work carried out in the castle, silver coins and various metal objects from the Ottoman period were found.
