Rumkale is a castle located near the village of Kasaba in the Yavuzeli district of Gaziantep province. This castle, built on steep cliffs at the confluence of the Euphrates River and Merzimen Stream, is located at a certain distance from the Gaziantep city center and Yavuzeli. Rumkale, located at this strategic point where Merzimen Stream joins the Euphrates River, has been called by many different names from ancient times to the present day. These include Shitamrat, Kal-a Rhomayta, Hromklay, Ranculat, Kal-at el Rum, Kal-at el Müslimin, Kale-i Zerrin (Golden Castle), and finally Rumkale.
Rumkale (Türkiye Culture Portal)
Physical Structure and Architectural Features
Rumkale is surrounded by steep cliffs and natural walls. Moltke's statement during his visit in 1838 that the combination of rocks and man-made structures is difficult to distinguish shows how integrated the castle is with nature. The castle consists of two main parts: the first is a fortification wall formed by steeply hewn natural cliffs on the east, north, and west. The second is the walls built with hard limestone stones added on top of these natural walls. The castle has seven rectangular bastions and many crenellated windows on the east and north walls. In the 12th century, a ditch cut the rocky extension of the castle on the south side, severing the connection with the land.
Defense Structures and Entrances
Rumkale has great strategic importance in terms of defense. It has two main entrances, one in the west and one in the east. The eastern entrance faces the Euphrates River, while the western entrance faces the Merzimen Stream. The four gates on the western front were built in the form of towers at 20-meter intervals for defense purposes. These structures made access to the fortress difficult and strengthened the defense. In addition, the 75-meter deep wells reaching down to the level of the Euphrates River play an important role in terms of water supply.
Religious Buildings and Ruins
Rumkale has been home to many religious buildings. These include the Church of St. Nerses the Poet, the Barshavma Monastery, and various water structures. The Church of St. Nerses the Poet was built in 1173 and is a rectangular building in Gothic style. Likewise, the Monastery of Barshavma was built in the 13th century and includes square structures covered with cross vaults.
History
Rumkale is a historically very important settlement. Known as "Shitamrat" by Assyrian King Salmanazar III in the 9th century BC, the settlement was later used in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The castle, which has an important place in the history of Christianity, is believed that Johannes, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, lived here and copied copies of the Bible. In the 11th century, Rumkale continued its existence as an important religious and cultural center.
During the Ottoman period, Rumkale, which was annexed to the Ottoman territory in 1516, was administered as an accident under the Aleppo Province. In the 17th century, Evliya Çelebi's visit emphasized the strong structures of the castle and the surrounding buildings, such as mosques, inns, and baths.
Transportation
There are two main routes for transportation to Rumkale. The first route is the road that starts from the Yavuzeli district of Gaziantep and can be reached via Kasaba village. The second route can be reached by boat from the Halfeti district of Şanlıurfa. Both routes offer visitors unique natural landscapes, and the journey to the castle leaves unforgettable memories.
