Historic site
Kadifekale
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Kadifekale, meaning 'the velvet castle' in Turkish, is a hilltop fortress in İzmir that offers sweeping views of the city and the Gulf of İzmir. Built in the 3rd century BC on Mount Pagos at 186 meters elevation, it stands about 2 km from the shoreline and provides a commanding panorama of the surrounding area.
Niet missen
- Panoramic views of İzmir and the Gulf of İzmir from the hilltop
- Medieval castle walls that replaced earlier Hellenic fortifications
- Ruins of Roman-era cisterns, later renovated by Byzantines and Ottomans, which once supplied the city's drinking water
- The nearby site of the ancient Stadium of Smyrna, now built over, where St. Polycarp was martyred
- Traces of the ancient theatre of Smyrna visible east of the castle gates
Tickets & tours
Manieren om Kadifekale te bezoeken
Je kunt Kadifekale op eigen gelegenheid bezoeken. Een gids is hier de moeite waard voor de geschiedenis achter wat je ziet, en een tour kan nabijgelegen bezienswaardigheden combineren in één dag.
Bereikbaarheid
Goed om te weten
- The castle is located on Mount Pagos, about 2 km from the shoreline, and involves an uphill walk.
- Look for fragments of Hellenic masonry under the medieval walls, though their authenticity is debated.
Een stukje geschiedenis
The castle was originally constructed by Lysimachos, a successor of Alexander the Great, as part of the re-foundation of Smyrna on Mount Pagos. According to a legend recorded by Pausanias, Alexander was instructed in a dream by the goddesses Nemeseis to move the city to this hill. The present walls date from the medieval period, and the site became a Tentative World Heritage Site in 2020 as part of 'The Historical Port City of Izmir.'
Veelgestelde vragen
How old is Kadifekale?
The castle was built in the 3rd century BC by Lysimachos, a successor of Alexander the Great.
What does 'Kadifekale' mean?
It means 'the velvet castle' in Turkish.
Can I see ancient ruins near the castle?
Yes, the ruins of Roman cisterns are next to the castle, and traces of the ancient theatre of Smyrna are visible east of the gates.
Is Kadifekale a UNESCO site?
It became a Tentative World Heritage Site in 2020 as part of 'The Historical Port City of Izmir.'
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