Kastamonu Castle Kastamonu Castle is an ancient fortress located in the heart of Kastamonu, Turkey, perched atop a natural rocky hill at an elevation of approximately 860 meters (2,820 ft). It was initially built in the 10th century by the Byzantine general Manuel Komnenos, who established a fortress along with residential buildings called Castrum Komnenon. Over the centuries, the name gradually evolved to "Kastra" or "Castle," eventually lending its name to the city of Kastamonu. In the 11th century, the castle was seized by the Seljuks of Rum, led by Çobanoğlu, following a lengthy siege against the Byzantine forces. Since then, control of the castle passed through various rulers, including the Candarid beylik, the Ottoman Empire, and finally the Turkish Republic. Sadly, part of the castle was damaged in an earthquake in 1943. Restoration work has been underway since 2005 to preserve the site. Originally, the castle was surrounded by walls encompassing the entire city. Today, only a section of the inner castle with its defensive structures still stands. The fortress stretches 155 meters (509 feet) from north to south, with a width varying between 30 meters (98 feet) and 50 meters (160 feet). It includes 15 bastions and a hidden passage that leads to the outer defenses. If you have any questions or would like more information about Kastamonu Castle, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on WhatsApp, and we will respond as quickly as possible.