Zerzevan Kalesi | |
Alternative name | Samachi Castle |
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Location | Demirölçek, Çınar, Diyarbakır, Turkey |
Coordinates | 37°36′29″N 40°29′57″E / 37.60806°N 40.49917°E |
Type | Fortification |
Area | 57 daa (5.7 ha) |
History | |
Builder | Eastern Roman Empire |
Founded | 4th century |
Abandoned | 7th century |
Periods | Early Christianity |
Site notes | |
Discovered | 2014 |
Condition | Ruined |
Public access | Partial |
Zerzevan Castle (Kurdish: Qesra Zêrzevan, Zîrzevan[1] Turkish: Zerzevan Kalesi Armenian: Զերզեվանի ամրոց), also known as Samachi Castle, is a ruined Eastern Roman castle, a former important military base, in Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed the existence of underground structures, among them a temple of Mithraism, a mystery religion. The castle was used as a civilian settlement between the 1890s and the 1960s. The site is partly open to tourism.