VELVET CASTLE (KADIFE KALE)
Velvet fortress, known as Kadife kale in Turkish saying, is the name of the hill on mount Pagos is about 155 m from the sea level and 3 kms far away from down town commanding a beautiful scenery of the port and a large view of the greater Izmir. Velvet castle was built in 3rd C BC by one of the generals of Alexander the great by his recommendation after he had been told in his dream by pagan gods. Indeed Alexander’s aim was to rebuild Smyrna stucked on Tepekule hill in order to compete with the famous port cities in his time like Ephesus,Pergamum and Rhodes so the castle was built then Smyrna began expanding down to the gulf.
Smyrna has become one of the most powerful port city of Asia Minor after the second establishment especially in Roman period but velvet castle it was badly damaged by the troops of Tamerlane in medieval age and the final disaster came in 1668, a big earthqauke hit the castle and nice temples on the ground. The remains which are visible today, are the western walls and five towers in southern part. Outer parts have been completely destroyed. The remains of a long and deep cistern with terra cotta pipes gives us the information about the city’s water supply. According to recent research, the cistern has been used both to store the rain water in winter and to deliver it to the homes on the hill. The cistern and water reservoir in the castle were the main source of the city’s water supply system.
Smyrna has become one of the most powerful port city of Asia Minor after the second establishment especially in Roman period but velvet castle it was badly damaged by the troops of Tamerlane in medieval age and the final disaster came in 1668, a big earthqauke hit the castle and nice temples on the ground. The remains which are visible today, are the western walls and five towers in southern part. Outer parts have been completely destroyed. The remains of a long and deep cistern with terra cotta pipes gives us the information about the city’s water supply. According to recent research, the cistern has been used both to store the rain water in winter and to deliver it to the homes on the hill. The cistern and water reservoir in the castle were the main source of the city’s water supply system.
A research team from University of Izmir has just discovered a sacred tunnel linking from velvet castle through the agora. It is said that the tunnel had built in Roman period to deliver the water and the water is still flowing down from the fortress to the agora. Some ruins around the castle have been restored so far and whole area has been a good destination worth visiting in recent months.
Content Author : Mahmut ÖKÇESIZ
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 05 October 2014
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 05 October 2014
