Tokmar Castle (Turkish language: Tokmar Kalesi, Latin language: Castellum Novumola) is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey
Geography[]
The castle is in the rural area of Silifke district of Mersin Province at 36°15′46″N 33°47′00″E / 36.26278°N 33.7833333°E. It is on a plateau at the southern slopes of Toros Mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The altitude is 380 metres (1,250 ft) and the birds' flight distance to sea shore is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) which makes the castle an excellent observation point. The distance to main highway (D 400 ) is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), to Silifke is 33 kilometres (21 mi) and to Mersin is 116 kilometres (72 mi).
History[]
The castle was built by Byzantine Empire in the 12th century. Later on, it was captured by the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia . In 1210, it was incorporated into the realm of Knights Hospitaller.[1] It was later on captured by the Karamanids and finally by the Ottoman Empire in the late 15th century.
Construction[]
There are sharp cliffs at the south of the castle . But other sides are quite unprotected. Thus there are defense towers at the north.[2] Although most of the walls stand, the buildings in the castle have since been completely demolished.[3]
References[]
- ↑ Arik, Osman; Çalışkan, Mehmet; Aydın, Ayşe et al., eds (2009) [2007] (in Turkish). Mersin: Ören Yerleri, Kaleleri, Müzeleri. Prepared by Filiz Kerem; Photographs by Selami Türk; Graphic design by Tanrtim Sanatlari (First ed.). Istanbul: Ekin Grubu (2007, first edition); İl Özel İdaresi (2009 edition). ISBN 978-605-4196-07-4. OCLC 805652523. ISBN (invalid as printed in first edition) 975-585-787-9. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. http://www.webcitation.org/6Q5Aq020C.
- ↑ Mersin Pocket Guide, MTSO, İstanbul, 2004 p.44
- ↑ Şinasi Başal: Antik Silifke ve Çevresi,İçel Sanat Kulübü yayınları, Mersin, 1993, p.22
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The original article can be found at Tokmar Castle and the edit history here.