Tokmar Castle (Turkish: Tokmar Kalesi, Latin: Castellum Novumola) is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey
Location
The castle is in the rural area of Silifke district of Mersin Province at 36°15′24″N 33°46′14″E / 36.25667°N 33.77056°E / 36.25667; 33.77056. It is on a plateau at the southern slopes of Toros Mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The altitude is 380 metres (1,250 ft) and the birds' flight distance to sea shore is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) which makes the castle an excellent observation point. The distance to main highway (D 400 ) is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), to Silifke is 33 kilometres (21 mi) and to Mersin is 116 kilometres (72 mi).
History
The castle was built by Byzantine Empire in the 12th century. Later on, it was captured by the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. In 1210, it was incorporated into the realm of Knights Hospitaller. It was later on captured by the Karamanids and finally by the Ottoman Empire in the late 15th century.
Construction
There are sharp cliffs at the south of the castle . But other sides are quite unprotected. Thus there are defense towers at the north. Although most of the walls stand, the buildings in the castle have since been completely demolished.
Gallery
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Tokmar Kalesi from outside
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Tokmar Kalesi walls
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Tokmar Kalesi full view
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Tokmar Kalesi getting near
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Tokmar Kalesi ruins
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Tokmar Kalesi ruins of wall and tower
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Tokmar Kalesi ruins of tower
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Tokmar Kalesi ruins of tower and wall
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Tokmar Kalesi in its setting
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Tokmar Kalesi from within woodland
References
- Arik, Osman; Çalışkan, Mehmet; Aydın, Ayşe; Aydınoğlu, Ümit; Kerem, Filiz, eds. (2009) . Mersin: Ören Yerleri, Kaleleri, Müzeleri [Mersin: Oren Places, Castles, Museums] (in Turkish). Prepared by Filiz Kerem; Photographs by Selami Türk; Graphic design by Tanrtim Sanatlari (First ed.). Istanbul: Ekin Grubu (2007, first edition); İl Özel İdaresi (2009 edition). ISBN 978-605-4196-07-4. OCLC 805652523. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014.
- Mersin Pocket Guide, MTSO, İstanbul, 2004 p.44
- Şinasi Başal: Antik Silifke ve Çevresi,İçel Sanat Kulübü yayınları, Mersin, 1993, p.22
