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From Kastamonu’s city center, it’s easy to make your way up to the castle district and Kastamonu Castle (Kastamonu Kalesi).

 

Mosques

On the way, you’ll pass two historic mosques. The first is the Yakup Ağa Mosque (Yakup Ağa Camii), built in 1547. The second is the Atabeygazi Mosque (Atabeygazi Camii), built in 1273.

Yakup Ağa Camii in Kastamonu, Turkey
Yakup Ağa Mosque
Yakup Ağa Camii in Kastamonu, Turkey
Yakup Ağa Mosque
Atabeygazi Camii in Kastamonu, Turkey
Atabeygazi Mosque

 

Ottoman Homes

The castle district is where a high concentration of historic Ottoman homes can be found. At the time of my visit they were actually better observed from far away as many of them were under restoration or an eyesore from up close.

Kastamonu, Turkey
Kastamonu
Ottoman home in Kastamonu, Turkey
Ottoman home
Ottoman home in Kastamonu, Turkey
Ottoman home

 

The Castle

Up a steep path past several souvenir stands is the Kastamonu Castle (Kastamonu Kalesi). It was originally built by Byzantine military leader Manuel Erotikos Komnenos. It was later conquered and rebuilt by the Çobanoğulları, a Seljuk beylik, in the early 13th century, and later fell to the Ottomans.

Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
Kastamonu Castle
Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
The path up to the castle
Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
Looking back down the path
Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
Castle wall

The castle itself is impressive although there’s not much to see at the top.

Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
At the top of the castle
Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
The castle
Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
Walking on the castle walls

The dizzying views are even better than the castle itself and the best reason to visit.

Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
View from the castle
View from Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
Kastamonu from the castle
View from Kastamonu Kalesi in Kastamonu, Turkey
View from the castle
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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