Karaman Castle

Karaman Castle
Karaman Kalesi
Karaman, Turkey
Karaman castle
Karaman Castle is located in Turkey
Karaman Castle
Karaman Castle
Coordinates37°10′55″N 33°12′26″E / 37.18194°N 33.20722°E / 37.18194; 33.20722
TypeFortress
Site information
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionGenerally standing
Site history
Built11th century
Built byByzantine Empire
MaterialsStone

Karaman Castle (Turkish: Karaman Kalesi) is in the city of Karaman, Turkey.

The castle is on a tumulus, although its altitude is 1,045 metres (3,428 ft) it is not much higher than the surrounding city.

The castle was probably built in the 11th or 12th century by the Byzantine Empire. It was captured by the Seljuks of Anatolia, Karamanids and finally the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans restored the castle in 1465.

The castle consists of three concentric ramparts. The innermost rampart takes the form of a keep-like citadel with nine bastions; four circular and five rectangular.[1] Until the mid-20th century much of the town of Karaman was still contained within the outermost ramparts - since then every building within the outer ramparts has been demolished and the entire area is now a public park.[citation needed]