Anavarza - Sky Castle — West(2)East

Have you ever wanted to explore a castle and its view, especially one which has been ruled by over nine different empires because of its strategic importance? Well then, join this adventure to Anavarza!

Seeing the beautiful landscape, witnessing close-knit community, and going on a mini road trip with friends was like a taste of my Midwest home. However, the exception would be that I was on my way to explore a two thousand year old castle! It was a wonderful time and fully worth the major farmer’s tan I got because I forgot sunscreen.

Driving towards the castle from nearby Adana brought into view delightful scenes of hills stretching in every direction. Some were covered in groves of trees and others in rolling crop fields. Many were blanketed with sunflowers where countless photo opportunities awaited in the blossoming fields. While scanning the landscape, scattered spire-like structures from village mosques appeared over trees surrounding clustered homes.

Ascending the mountain was delightful because around every rise of the fortification we witnessed even more ancient building structures lining the mountain top.

Both the ancient castle and the Roman city lying below its towers are free and open to the public. But, it looks like there are future plans to charge people to enter the area, so visit soon!

Below are some interesting facts we discovered about the site:

Anavarza is one in a chain of castles lining the landscape from Adana to Kozan, the ancient seat of the Armenian empire. Kozan is also where Marco Polo went seeking permission from the Emperor to travel eastward towards China. The castles were placed strategically, allowing for maintained, rapid communication so defenders could thwart any attacking force by joining together.

The castle itself was used in the walled defenses of the city, atypical of nearby castles.

The architecture of the castle walls included mainly limestone, with interspersed sections of brick which would bend under the pressure of frequent earthquakes experienced in the area.

Running mainly north to south, the east side of the castle contains a steep mountain face. Below the mountain face lays the ancient city and the remnants of its north, west and southern most walls. Additionally, from the castle the Roman Promenade (main street) is visible traversing north-south through the city.

Much of a Byzantine church still stands and includes remnants of a medieval painted mural.

A house museum with artifacts from the city and castle can be found in Dilekkaya Village. The village is located at the foot of the mountain and is situated at the most southwest portion of the ancient city.

Roman conquest brought the construction of aqueducts to the city flowing from the north.

Witnessing firsthand the remnants of ancient civilizations was very inspiring. Through the remaining architecture I could see the value citizens placed on community, spirituality, and improving their lives and the lives of those around them. I also greatly value these things and hope to live my life pursuing them.