Bitlis Castle

Imagine a giant rock rising toward the sky! This is Bitlis Kalesi, standing like a shining crown atop such a majestic rock, overlooking the city from above. This fortress, which has stood there for thousands of years, tells us the thrilling stories of ancient times.

This massive fortress was built by Badlis, a commander of the famous ruler Alexander the Great. Its construction dates back exactly 2300 years to 312 BCE. The city of Bitlis derives its name from this powerful commander, Badlis.

In ancient times, Bitlis Kalesi was not merely a military outpost but a vibrant little town teeming with life. According to historical sources, the fortress contained as many as 300 houses, a mosque, a caravanserai, and even a marketplace where trade took place. The surrounding walls stretched for 2800 meters and reached a height of 56 meters!

Today, archaeologists conducting excavations at the fortress uncover fascinating artifacts. Beneath the soil, they find ancient cups once used for drinking coffee and decorative tobacco pipes known as "lüle." These discoveries reveal that the people living in the fortress once gathered in social spaces to converse and relax.

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Typically, fortresses are surrounded by moats filled with water to defend against enemies. However, Bitlis Kalesi was built on such a steep and sheer cliff that its natural topography made it nearly impossible to access. Therefore, there was no need to dig a moat around it!

Founded in 312 BCE, Bitlis Kalesi has served as a home to numerous empires and cultures—from the Byzantines to the Seljuks, and from the Ottomans to the present day—making it a true treasure of history.

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