History and archaeology / Castle
Arısama Castle
Emirgazi, Konya
Castle remains dominating the region on the summit of Arısama Dağı north of Emirgazi, an area famous for its Hittite-period inscribed altars.
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Its story
Arısama Castle, today also known as Emirgazi Castle, is on the highest peak of Arısama (Kötü) Dağı, in a position from which the whole surrounding area can be watched. Most of the walls have collapsed, but the sections still standing reach two meters in places. The altars and inscriptions written in Luwian hieroglyphs found at Eskikışla on the mountain's western slope are known because one of them mentions the name of the Hittite king Tudhaliya IV; these works are now displayed at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. The inscriptions tell that the king erected victory monuments and an altar on the sacred mountain and cursed those who would damage them. The area later remained under the rule of the Kingdom of Tabal, Cappadocia and Byzantium; in the Byzantine period it was called Adristama. Rock carvings and underground settlements are also reported on the mountain.
Key facts
- Finds
- Altars with Luwian hieroglyphs (Istanbul Archaeology Museums)
- Period
- A sacred mountain going back to the Hittite period; castle remains associated with later periods
- Admission
- Free, open area
- Visit duration
- 1–2 hours (including the climb)
Trip purpose
- Free
- Photography
- Quiet
- Hiking
Location
37.92918, 33.85636
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://kulturenvanteri.com/yer/arisama-kalesi/ | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131902051 | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar%C4%B1sama_Da%C4%9F%C4%B1 | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirgazi