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Zerzevan Castle

Zerzevan Castle

Photo: Chansey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Location
Diyarbakır, Turkey
Client / Owner
Eastern Roman Empire
Year
Completed 400
Access
Public

Zerzevan Castle is a ruined Eastern Roman fortification in Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey, beside Demirölçek village. It was built in the fourth century as a military base on the trade route between Diyarbakır and Mardin. It was restored under Anastasius I and Justinian I, reached its final form then, and was likely used until 639, when Arab forces arrived. Byzantines and Sasanians fought there.

The site covers about 14 acres (5.7 hectares). Its walls run roughly 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) and stand about 39 feet (12 meters) high. A watchtower rises about 69 to 72 feet (21 to 22 meters). Inside are a church, a palace, baths, a granary, an arsenal and 54 cisterns.

A Mithraeum carved into the bedrock measures about 23 by 16 by 8 feet (7 by 5 by 2.5 meters). A subterranean church was discovered in 2016. The ruin is only partly open to tourism.

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