Zilkale

Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley ( _tr. Fırtına Vadisi, meaning "Stormy Valley"), and is one of the most important historical works in the Çamlıhemşin region (40° 55' 0N, 40° 57' 0E) of Rize. [ Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005 pp. 1209-10] The castle is built at an altitude of 750 meters, and sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Furtina river approximately 100 meters below. The castle consists of outer walls, middle walls and inner castle. [ It was built on the western skirts of Fırtına River ( _tr. Fırtına Deresi, "Storm River"), 15 km south of country center] There are guarison quarters, and a possible chapel [ According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel and built for Empire of Trebizond for local Lord of Hamshenis, Arhakel. BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington p. 348 ] and head tower. It is believed that the castle was built in 14-15th century.

Etymology

Zilkale < Zil kale < Turkish zil "bell" + Turkish kale "castle"). [ BRYER A. & WINFIELD D. (1985), Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos. Dumbarton Oaks Center Studies. 2 vol. Washington.]

Alternatively

Zilkale < Zir kale < Persian zir "lower" + Turkish kale "castle"). [ Öztürk, Ö. Karadeniz. p. 1210]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.karalahana.com/english.html All about the region]
* [http://www.e-turkey.net/v/rize_zilkale/ Zilkale pics]
* [http://lahana.org/resimler/displayimage.php?pos=-418 HQ Zilkale image]
* [http://www.rize.gov.tr/ParkBahce/ParkSag.htm About Region] tr icon