Anamur - Page I
Mamure Castle
At the most southern point of Turkey's
Mediterranean coast lies Anamur. Anamur town is of virtually no interest
for the traveler. However, from Iskele, the harbour district is the ideal
basis to visit the medieval Mamure Castle and explore the Byzantine ghost
town of Anamurium sometimes also referred to as Anemurium.
A couple of kilometres east of Iskele
stands Mamure Kalesi, an impressive castle built by the rulers of the
Cilician kingdom of Armenia on the side of an older Roman fort constructed
in the 3rd century AD. After the decline of the Cilician kingdom, the fort was used by the Byzantines. The present castle was built in 1226 by the great
Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I and is without doubt the most impressive
of the castles of Turkey. The Karamanoğlu
ruler Mahmut Bey added the mosque that is still inside
the castle. In the 14th century,
Mamure Kalesi became occupied
by the Crusaders who used it as a bridgehead in Asia
for their Lusignan kingdom in Cyprus. In 1469 it was seized by the
Ottomans who who reinforced the castle after the British occupied
Cyprus in 1878. It remained garrisoned by the Ottomans until the end of
World War I. The impressive Mamure Castle with it stark facade of
crenellated outer walls and watchtowers stands romantically with one foot
in the sea and has formed a backdrop to many Turkish films.
The best place to stay in Anamur is at
İskele (meaning quay) unpretentious resort, with
a nice beach. We found Hotel Anemonia (Tel. +90-(0) 324-814 40 00,
single about 17 EURO with breakfast and air-con) very convenient with a
very friendly service. It is a bit outside of the center of İskele,
at the end of the İnönü
Caddesi, but the distance is only a short
healthy walk. Lonely Planet mentions that the rooms have TV's that can pick up
English language stations in Cyprus. I desperately looked for a TV set in
my room, but wasn't able to find it.
For dinner, restaurant Kap Anamur
at the central square serves excellent fish at reasonable prices and is
the best restaurant in town and, in our experience, maybe one of the best
along Turkey's Mediterranean coast).
Click on the thumbnails to get a greater picture
Scenery and beach at Mamure Kalesi
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Mamure Castle |
Mamure Castle |
Mamure Kalesi Overview |
Mamure Kalesi Walls |
Mamure Castle Outer Walls |
Turtles |
Mamure Castle Watchtower with Inscription |
Mamure Castle Ottoman Inscription |
Mamure Kalesi Outer Walls |
Inside Mamure Kalesi
|
Mamure Castle Inside
|
Inside Mamure Kalesi |
Inside Mamure Kalesi
|
Overview and Sea Defense
|
Sea Defense with Watchtower |
Mamure Castle Walls from the Inside |
Mosque added by Mahmut Bey |
Mosque added by Mahmut Bey
|
Mamure Kalesi Defense Walls from the Inside |
Beach at Anamur-İskele |
Beach at İskele |
Beach at İskele |
Hotel Anemonia |
