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Kuşadası Castle

Kuşadası Castle

Kuşadası Castle

Kuşadası Castle

Kuşadası Castle is a symbolic historical building in Kuşadası district of Aydın province. It was built to protect the harbor of Kuşadası Bay, and today it covers the entire Güvercinada, which is a touristic paradise. The inner part of the castle was constructed by Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha and the walls by İlyas Ağa.

Architectural Details

The castle and the walls were built to prevent attacks from the sea during war periods. The walls are about 3 meters high. The stones used in the construction of the castle were brought from Yılancıburnu. There is the castle entrance gate in the south of the walls, which is protected by two towers and round arches, which can be climbed by stairs facing the east. The north tower is pentagonal, and the south tower is cylindrical. The inscription space on the door shows that there was an inscription here before. The building inscription of the walls is located on the tower wall in the north.

Restorations and History

After the Peloponnesian rebellion in 1821, the castle was restored to repair the destruction and to protect the city against possible pirate attacks from Samos. The castle, which was repaired again in 1834, was strengthened and connected to the land by a breakwater in 1957. The survey and restitution project carried out by Kuşadası Municipality in 2013 was approved by the Aydın Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board. Castle walls, which Aydın Governorship Special Provincial Administration funded, were repaired, and some structures in the castle were repaired.

Kuşadası castle, built on the rock, has performed critical tasks as it is in a position to protect the harbor at the mouth of the Kuşadası Bay. The castle was built of stone and brick with the idea of ​​performing surveillance and outpost duties.

Since the island served as a police station against pirates during the Ottoman period, the castle is also known as the Pirate Castle. Located at the highest point of the island, the castle was used for the guards to keep an eye on the surroundings. There is also a water cistern on the island.

Today, there are cafeterias and restaurants around and inside the landscaped island. It adds a distinctive beauty to the silhouette of Kuşadası, especially because it is illuminated at night. Kuşadası Castle offers a fascinating view.