The 2,200-year-old New Castle (ancient Kahta Castle) in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, located in the southeast of Türkiye, was opened to visitors.
In 2005, restoration works consisting of 3 stages were carried out in the Kahta Castle, which was closed for security reasons. In February 2023, the defense, bazaar and palace sections of the castle were damaged in the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes that caused a great disaster.
The 4th stage restoration works were initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
With the works started in July 2023, the walls destroyed in the bazaar part of the castle were rebuilt and the castle was opened to tourists again after the joint works in some areas.
Adıyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan said, “The ancient Kahta Castle, which was completed as a marvelous structure by Kalhuma in 1886, was opened to visitors in August 2022 after a 17-year break. However, with the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, destruction occurred again in the bazaar part and the inner palace part. And as a result of these destructions, there were restoration and conservation works again with an 8-month work. After these restoration and conservation works, it was reopened to visitors this year.”
Stating that they drew attention to this place with the excavations we have done in the ancient city of Arsemia, especially with the discovery of a tunnel and the excavations we made in the business palace part, Alkan said, “We see that there are very important structures with the old Kahta Castle and the New Castle in the excavations here. We expect all local and foreign visitors to these structures.”
Ancient Kahta Castle
There are two castles in Kahta district of Adıyaman. One of these castles, the ancient Kahta Castle, is located opposite the ancient city of Arsameia.
Although the exact construction date of the castle, which was used by the Commagene Kingdom, Romans, Mamluks and Ottomans, is not known, it is believed to be from the Hittites in the 2nd century BC.
It was built as an important administrative center and fortress together with Arsameia, which was the summer capital during the Commagene period, and its position was developed and maintained during the Roman period. The current castle dates back to the Mamluk period. There are water reservoirs, a bathhouse, a mosque and a secret waterway leading down to Kahta Stream.
Cover Photo: Governorship of Adıyaman
