Amasya Harşena Castle Claimed

Ruins of an important castle on top of Harşena Mountain, with ancient king tombs and valley views.

Amasya Castle is on Harşena Mountain, which covers the north of Amasya city center. It is also known as Harşena Castle. The rock on which Amasya Castle was built is 700 meters above the sea and 300 meters above Yeşilırmak. According to some historians, the castle was built by Pontus King Mithridates. According to some, the castle was named Harşana/Harşena because the Commander Karsan or Harsana had it built.

Amasya Castle changed hands many times during historical struggles and was destroyed in most of them. The castle, which was attacked many times during the domination of the Persians, Romans, Pontus and Byzantines, was rebuilt each time. The castle underwent significant repairs after the Turks conquered Amasya in 1075. The castle, which was used until the 18th century, lost its military importance after this century.

The top of the castle is made of cut stones and the city walls are made of rubble stones. The castle, which has eight defense levels up to the banks of Yeşilırmak, has a corridor with a diameter of 8 meters, called Cilanbolu, which can be reached down with 150 steps carved into the rock from a high place in the middle of the castle. In the castle, there are cisterns, water tanks, ruins of baths from the Ottoman Period and Pontus King Tombs carved into the rocks. A significant part of the city walls remained standing. The Castle consists of three parts: İçer Şehir (Hatuniye District), Kızlar Sarayı and Upper Castle.