Yelbiz Castle
Yelbiz Castle (Turkish: Yelbiz Kalesi, literally "Spider Castle") is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Yelbiz Castle | |
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Yelbiz Kalesi | |
Tekedüz village, Bozyazı, Mersin Province, Turkey | |
Yelbiz Castle | |
Coordinates | 36°08′41″N 33°00′50″E |
Type | Fortress |
Site information | |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Mostly demolished |
Site history | |
Built by | Byzantine Empire (?) |
Materials | Stone |
The castle is in Bozyazı ilçe (district) of Mersin Province at about 36°08′41″N 33°00′50″E. It is situated on a 600 m (2,000 ft) hill to the north east of Bozyazı.[1][2] Visitors follow the road from Tekedüzü village to west in the dense forestry. There is no road in the last 350 m (1,150 ft) of the course. Its distance to Bozyazı is 8 km (5.0 mi) and to Mersin is 207 km (129 mi).
Within the castle, which is mostly in ruins, there is a monastery with two wide halls, a part of a basilica and a courtyard. There are remains of mosaics with geometric design in the monastery. The windows are round arch type. There are two cisterns and two towers of about 6–7 m (20–23 ft) height in the west of the castle.[3][2]
References
- Map of Yelbiz Castle
- "Yelbiz Kalesi - Mersin" (in Turkish). Türkiye Kültür Portalı. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- Mersin Governorship: Mersin Ören Yerleri Kaleleri Müzeleri ("Mersin Ruins, castles and museums"), ISBN 978-605-4196-07-4 p.283