Alara Castle

Alanya, Turkey

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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ReferenceKulturenvanteri↗

Perched atop a steep rocky outcrop at the east bank of the Alara River in southern Turkey, Alara Castle is a historic fortification that began under Byzantine rule and became the western stronghold of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the 11th century. Strategically positioned to protect caravans traveling the Silk Road—standing just 300–400 meters from the caravanserai Alarahan—the castle features a citadel enclosed within outer walls, accessible by a 180-step stairway tunneled through rock with a cistern carved into its midpoint. The citadel's ruins include a palace, garrison quarters, a mosque, and a bath. The fortress fell peacefully in 1231 when its lord surrendered to Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, recognizing the futility of resistance. Located 35 kilometers southeast of Manavgat and 37 kilometers northwest of Alanya, the castle was considered for restoration and public access by the Antalya regional government as of 2011.

Movement

Ottoman architecture

Type: castle, kasır
Place: Alanya, Turkey

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Location

36.69861, 31.72944