History and archaeology / Castle
Canca Castle
Merkez, Gümüşhane
An old castle on a rocky hill, considered the first settlement of Gümüşhane, which gained importance through silver mining.
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Its story
Canca Castle appears in the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam as the main castle of Gümüşhane. According to Evliya Çelebi, the castle was repaired when silver deposits were found in the area and the city's importance increased; in the Byzantine period, because of the mining operations, the city was given the name Argyropolis, meaning silver city. The castle consists of sections lined up east–west on the bedrock and contains water cisterns. In excavations carried out under the supervision of the Museum Directorate, previously unknown walls were uncovered, and a structure thought to be a chapel was found to be a watchtower. The castle and the Süleymaniye neighborhood together make it possible to read the history of the city, which changed location twice.
Key facts
- Period
- Byzantine and earlier; used in the Ottoman period
- Admission
- Open area
- Getting there
- The rocky hill north of the Süleymaniye neighborhood
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
- Hiking
Location
40.46988, 39.45267
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/gumushane | https://www.habergazetesi.com.tr/efsaneleri-ile-unlu-canca-kalesi-nde-bir-donem-aydinlaniyor | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/891063499