2 . E R Z U R U M
C A S T L E
CAMIIKEBIR MH.
Erzurum Castle , locally known as Erzurum Kalesi ,
lies on top of the hill in the center of the city of
the same name , in the province of Erzurum in
Turkey .
The first fortification at this site was probably built
in Urartian times . Throughout history Erzurum
changed hands frequently between the Assyrians ,
the Sassanids , Persians , Arabs , Romans and
Byzantines . The present castle however was built
in 415 AD under the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius
II .
In the 11th century Erzurum Castle came into the
possession of the Saltukids . Under the Saltukid Bey
Muzaffer Gazi ( 1124 - 1132 ), the Tepsi Minaret was
built in the south west corner of the inner castle .
Somewhat later , in the mid - 12th century , the
Saltukids also built the still remaining Mescid ,
which is a kind of chapel , in the inner castle .
Erzurum Castle was seriously devastated in almost
every period of conquest but was rebuilt and
restored every time by the new rulers . One of the
last rebuilding phases took place in the 16th
century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the
Magnificent .
After Erzurum Castle lost its military function it
was used for storage . In the mid - 19th century
stones of some sections were taken down to be
used in the repair of some of the 18th century
bastions in the hills around the city . Also in the
19th century , the upper part of the Tepsi Minaret
collapsed . It was rebuilt in its present appearance
with a clock . Hence its present name Saat Kulesi ,
meaning Hour Tower .