Kastamonu Castle

Kastamonu Castle is a medieval castle located on a rock mass approximately 120 meters high, west of the city center. It is considered a symbol of the city and offers the most beautiful panoramic view. It is believed to have been built in the 10th-12th centuries by the Byzantine commander Manuel Eroticos Komnenos. The city's name, Kastamonu, was derived from the name "Kastra Komnenon" (Komnenos Castle). It was later used during the Seljuk (Çobanoğulları), Candaroğulları, and Ottoman periods. It was damaged in the 1943 Tosya-Ladik earthquake and partially restored in 2005. It measures 155 meters north-south and 30-50 meters east-west. Of the original outer walls, only the inner castle section remains today. Inside are cisterns, a dungeon, escape tunnels, and the tomb of "Bayraklı Sultan".