History and archaeology / Castle
Kale-i Bala (Varoş Kale)
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
A medieval castle on a steep rock above the Fırtına Valley, dominating the point giving passage from the Kaçkars to Anatolia.
Safety warning
Its story
Kale-i Bala, or Varoş Kale, is about 40 km from the Çamlıhemşin center, on a steep rock dominating the Fırtına Deresi (Fırtına Stream). Its location close to Başhemşin and the Tatos pass allowed it to control the old road stretching over the Kaçkar Mountains into inner Anatolia. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism dates the building to the 14th–15th centuries because of its masonry, similar to that of Zilkale. The gate of the rectangular-plan castle, about 70 m long and 25 m wide on average, is to the northwest; the remains of a vaulted space inside are thought to be a cistern. Less visited than Zilkale, the castle can be toured together with the upper Fırtına Valley and the highland pastures around it.
Key facts
- Size
- About 70 × 25 m
- Period
- Middle Ages (14th–15th century)
- Getting there
- About 40 km from Çamlıhemşin
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Seasonal
- Photography
- Quiet
Location
40.81356, 40.94379
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://rize.ktb.gov.tr/TR-127865/kaleler.html | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kale-i_Bala | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3881513042