Tokmar Castle

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.^[1] 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.^[2] Although most of the walls stand, the buildings in the castle have since been completely demolished.^[3]

References[]