Bayburt Castle Bayburt Castle, perched on steep rocks to the north of the city, is an ancient stronghold with a deep historical significance. It stands along the trade route connecting the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf, making it a prominent stop for travelers. The identity of the castle’s original builder remains unknown, but it is referenced during the Bagratid dynasty (885-1044) and played a significant role in the struggles between local rulers for many years. Before it came under Turkish control, the castle was ruled by a variety of powers, including the Romans, Armenians, Byzantines, Arabs, and Kommenos. The Bayburt Castle has undergone multiple reconstructions throughout its extensive history. For example, in 765/1225, Tugrul Shah, the son of the Seljuk ruler II. Kılıçarslan and Meliki of Erzurum, oversaw the castle's reconstruction, fortifying it to withstand attacks from the Trabzon Empire. During his rule, 17 Arabic inscriptions were added to the castle’s walls, and another was inscribed during the reign of Kanuni, though two of these inscriptions have since disappeared. The Akkoyunlu State briefly controlled the castle before abandoning it after their defeat by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1514 AD. Later, during the reign of Murat, the castle was repaired once again. Over the course of history, the castle has been occupied and destroyed multiple times. The Russians demolished it in 1828, and it was referred to as "Chinaemachin Castle" because of its distinctive purple and green turquoise tile decorations. Unfortunately, these tiles are no longer visible due to the ravages of war and destruction. If you have any questions or would like more information about Bayburt Castle, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], or simply contact us via WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.