Yenikale, a castle on a steep summit north of Kahta, traced back to the Commagene kingdom, added to over later ages and known for its dovecote and secret passages.
Kahta Yenikale is a place (Castle) in Turkey, Adiyaman.
Above the village of Kocahisar (Old Kahta), a castle sits on the crest of a high, steep mountain, facing the old fortress on the hill of Arsameia. Yenikale lies roughly 60 km from Adıyaman and 20 km north of Kahta, on the road that also leads to Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge and Mount Nemrut.
History
Who built the castle, and when, is not known. Its first construction is thought to go back to the Commagene kingdom. In later ages parts were added under the Romans, the Artuqids, the Seljuks, the Mamluks and the Ottomans. The inscription at the main gate names the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun, the one in the mosque names Melik Eşref Selahaddin Halil, and the one on the palace gate names Melik Nasır.
What to see
The fortress has two parts, an inner and an outer palace. Within it are a mosque, a bazaar, a dungeon, a cistern (water tank), water channels and inscriptions.
Hidden stairs lead down to the dovecote on the south slope. Pigeons carried messages for the state in those days, and this building has 32 roosting places. Further down, secret passages open to the far bank of the Kahta stream and offered a way out of the castle in an attack.
Restoration
The castle was partly repaired in the 1970s. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism restored it in works begun in 2012.
Visiting
Conditions can change, so see the official page for current information.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Yenikale?
Who built the castle?
Which periods left additions?
How many roosts does the dovecote have?
When was the castle restored?
Sources (3)
- Kahta Yenikale Örenyeri / Kahta Yenikale Archaeological Site (TR ve EN sayfalar) — T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı, Müzeler ve Ören Yerleri
- Kahta Castle (Wikidata Q126823917) — Wikidata
Photo credits
- Photo: Serhatburke, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons (resized)
