Çobankale

Çobankale is a historical fortress located within the boundaries of Altınova district, Yalova province, at the locality of Çobankale in Karadere Village. The structure is situated on a natural elevation above the Yalakdere Valley, approximately 7 kilometers inland from the Hersek region and 2 kilometers south of Soğuksu (Ayazma) Village.

Geographically and strategically, the fortress was built on a natural high point that controls the Dil İskelesi route—the narrowest passage of the İzmit Gulf—and the Yalakdere Valley, along the historic route connecting İznik and Istanbul. The fortress stands at an elevation of 150 meters above sea level and measures approximately 180 meters in length and 120 meters in width.

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There are differing views regarding the original construction date of the fortress. While local tradition holds that it was built by the Genoese, written sources and expert analyses indicate that it was constructed in the 10th or 11th century.

• Byzantine Period: The majority of researchers believe the fortress was constructed during the Byzantine era.
• Seljuk Period: The fortress is regarded as one of the westernmost outposts of the Seljuks. Historical records note that during the First Crusade, the Seljuks held this fortress and repelled Crusader forces.
• Ottoman Period: The fortress played a strategic role during the foundation of the Ottoman state. Historian Prof. Dr. Halil İnalcık has stated that the pivotal event of 1302, the Battle of Bafeus (Koyunhisar), one of the most critical moments in the Ottoman Beylik’s transition to a state, occurred in this region and that the fortress served as a key node for regional control.^【1】

From its construction until the decline in strategic importance of the Yalakdere route, the fortress underwent maintenance and repairs during both the Seljuk and Ottoman periods and remained in use.

Çobankale was designated as a “First Group Protection Area” and registered as a “Third Degree Archaeological Site” by the Bursa Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage on 16 April 2004. Subsequently, by the decision of the Kocaeli Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage on 16 June 2010, its classification was changed to a “Second Degree Archaeological Site.”

Ownership and usage rights of the fortress were transferred to the Altınova Municipality by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2009, upon the municipality’s request.

Archaeological excavations at the fortress are conducted under the official status of a presidentially authorized excavation and are carried out throughout the year with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The excavations are led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Seçkin of the Department of Art History at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.^【2】

Archaeological excavations have uncovered architectural remains and ceramic artifacts dating to the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Fragmented finds are reassembled and restored in the excavation site’s laboratory. The Altınova Municipality and relevant state institutions provide support for the excavation activities.