Sağman Castle

Sağman Castle, located on a steep rock face east of Sağman village in the Pertek district of Tunceli province, Türkiye, is a historical structure notable for both its geographical position and architectural remains. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but historical sources indicate that it was commissioned by a Turkish bey belonging to the Artuqid dynasty based in Diyarbakır. The castle has survived to the present day primarily through its surviving rampart walls on the western and southern sides.

Sağman Kalesi (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Location and Architectural Features

Sağman Castle is situated approximately 20 kilometers east of Pertek district in Tunceli, atop the summit of a steep rock at the intersection of key passes and valleys in the region. It is believed to have been constructed for both defensive and observational purposes. The rampart walls on the western and southern slopes of the castle have survived in good condition; the use of cut and rubble stone in the castle walls is particularly striking.

Historical Background

There is no definitive information regarding the exact date of the castle’s construction. However, according to accounts in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatnâme, it is thought to have been built by a Turkish bey of the Artuqid dynasty centered in Diyarbakır. The structure is also believed to have undergone repairs during the Ottoman period. In this regard, Sağman Castle bears traces of both the Artuqid and Ottoman eras.

Current Condition and Use

Today, Sağman Castle is primarily visited by day-trippers to the region and especially by photographers. The castle takes on different appearances due to its surrounding natural landscape and seasonal changes, making it particularly appealing to photographic artists. Observations of the castle indicate that it lies within mutual line-of-sight distance of Pertek Castle and Harput Castle in Elazığ.