Sinop Castle Sinop's advantageous position has ensured its status as a key Black Sea harbor throughout the ages. The Sinop Fortress, initially built by settlers from Miletus around 800 BC, was later enlarged by Genoese colonizers. The fortress features walls stretching 2 kilometers, eight strong bastions, and stands impressively 25 meters tall with a width of 8 meters, highlighting its powerful defensive strength. In 1345, during the rule of the Candaroğulları Sultanate, Adil Bey allowed the Venetians and Genoese to establish settlements in Sinop. The appearance of a Genoese flag over the city in the 1351 Laurentiana Map indicates the existence of a Genoese colony at that time. Even after Adil Bey passed away, the Genoese continued to use Sinop as a key trading center. During the 13th and 14th centuries, Sinop was an important port along vital trade routes. Merchants from Syria, Egypt, and other regions frequently stopped in Sinop before proceeding northward. After 1261, Genoese and Venetian traders expanded their commerce in the Black Sea, boosting Sinop’s trade with Europe and elevating its importance to the level of other major northern ports. Genoese sailors imported goods such as textiles, soap, glassware, and precious stones to Sinop, while exporting copper from the city. Additional products traded through Sinop included grain, alum, wax, and leather. A Genoese harbor known as "Kayzer Koltogu" was established in the northern part of the city, where local miners unloaded goods to be shipped by Genoese vessels. To protect this prosperous trade, the Genoese significantly strengthened Sinop Castle, turning it into a heavily fortified bastion. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Sinop Castle, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will reply promptly.