Ramazan Fortress is a historical military structure located on Yıldızlı Mountain in the Ardahan province of Türkiye. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,500 metres, the fortress is 5 kilometres from the city centre of Ardahan. Due to its strategic location, it occupies a dominant position overlooking Ardahan Castle, the Kura River, and the Ardahan Plain. Covering an area of three thousand square metres, the structure stands out among fortress examples in Turkey for its size and architectural features.

^{Ramazan Tabyası (Culture Portal)}

History

Although the exact date of construction of the Ramazan Fortress is unknown, its history dates back to the Urartu period. The structure was repaired during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods and continued to be used for security purposes. It was used for defence by Turkish military forces during the Ottoman-Russian wars, particularly during the Russian occupation of Ardahan. The fort, which has continued to play a military role throughout history, is one of the few structures that has survived to the present day in its original form.

Architectural Features

Ramazan Fort is a unique example of fort architecture in Turkey. The structure, which is completely dome-shaped and built with stone masonry, has a U-shaped plan. The structure complex, formed by connecting cells covered with cradle vaults, was constructed using Horasan mortar, brick, and masonry stone materials. The cells are covered with dome-shaped arches. Covering an area of approximately 3,000 square metres, the fortress is considered one of the rare examples in Turkey in terms of its dimensions and construction technique.

^{Ramazan Tabyası (Anadolu Agency)}

Current Situation

The Ardahan Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock have initiated efforts to remove the area where the Ramazan Fortress is located from its status as agricultural land. Following the allocation of the area to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, expropriation work has also begun on the surrounding land. Various projects are being planned to integrate the structure into tourism, with the aim of opening the Ramazan Tabyası to visitors and establishing it as one of Ardahan's key tourist destinations.