Friday, March 11, 2011

Mamure Castle

via travelpod.com
Can you believe I missed going inside this castle? Yes - stupid me - I was too tired that day. I had the most amazing chicken kebab at a restaurant down the beach from it, though...with a breathtaking view. Luckily, Anamur it isn't far from Mersin, so I can get back there the next time I go to Turkey.

Here's the 101 on Mamure Castle according to wikipedia:

The castle was built on the foundation of an ancient castle built by the Roman Empire in the forth century, undoubtedly against pirates. 

-blah de blah de blah - lots of guys fought over it, it changed hands several times - fast forward :

In 1475, the castle was annexed by the Ottoman Empire. During Ottoman reign, the castle was repaired in the 15th, 16th and 18th centuries and a part of the castle was used as a cervansarai.

Love the part about the pirates... (I keep looking for a way to use that! I promise I'll get you some more posts on them soon.) ...and Mamure must have been the most awesome caravanserai stop. Can you imagine stopping there for the night to rest your tired, laden *erm*camel? (Monty Python fan here.) OK, so maybe it was a little smelly, but there's a killer view. (mamure = prosperous, btw.)

So why is Mamure castle special?

Let's break it down. I always write about the stories behind a castle, but in this case I need to point out the parts. Mamure is known for it's spectacular crenellation.

Take it away wiktionary:

Crenellation

1. A pattern along the top of a parapet (fortified wall), most often in the form of multiple, regular, rectangular spaces in the top of the wall, through which arrows or other weaponry may be shot, especially as used in medieval European architecture.
2. The act of crenellating; adding a top row that looks like the top of a medieval castle.

It's nice to find a ruin that isn't so...well...ruined...isn't it?





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11 comments:

Sarah said...

Thanks for showing me a part of the world of which I wasn't really aware, Carolyn. Mamure is beautiful, and I imagine the view from one of those parapets is stunning!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I'm always amazed by the architecture of castles.

Unknown said...

I LOVE roaming around castle ruins in France. The storyteller in me goes crazy! Mamure is gorgeous -- loved the video!

Old Kitty said...

What a magnificent castle - huge, imposing, seemingly impenetrable and full of history and killer views!! Beautiful!!!!

I hope you do get to set foot in it one day!! Take care

Misha Gerrick said...

It's stunning!

I love castles. :-)

Creepy Query Girl said...

I've always been enamoured of castles and their histories. There are so many around here too that I haven't had a chance to explore.

Jules said...

At least you had a great chicken kebab. As to the word...(see me jumping with joy) I knew this one :)

Er, maties bring me them pirates! Carolyn needs a great weekend :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Southpaw said...

That's so cool. Ah, to miss it must have been so hard.

Unknown said...

I love castles and pirate! What a cool book location that would make!

LTM said...

very cool! And I do understand being too tired to visit... and then kicking yourself later! :D But you'll be back~ :o) <3

Missed Periods said...

It's absolutely gorgeous, but if the chicken kebab and view were that good, I totally understand.

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