| Tirebolu Castle | |
|---|---|
| Tirebolu, Giresun in Turkey | |
 Tirebolu Castle | |
| Coordinates | 41°00′27″N38°49′16″E / 41.00744°N 38.82117°E |
| Type | Coastal fortification |
irebolu Castle, known as the "Saint-Jean Castle" in early times, [1] is a small historic fortification located on the coast of a peninsula north of the town. [2]
It was first built in the Hellenistic or Roman Period, and was completely renovated during the Kingdom of Pontus and took on the character of a medieval period castle. [1] Built in accordance with the natural structure of the peninsula, it was constructed with rubble stone materials. The castle walls were supported by external buttresses at intervals. [2] The wall stones are basalt, water-eroded stones from the nearby Harşit River and yellow and red blocks of Ünye limestone. [3] Access to the castle is from the south by a 120-step steep staircase, which was built by the local district governor in the year 1896-1904. [2] [3] The entrance is through a low arched opening. [2]
A lighthouse inside the castle, which operated with acetylene gas in 1911, ndid not survive to this day. [3] The castle has undergone extensive restoration and repair in previous years. Its walls have survived until today. Inside the castle, t a here are ruins of a chapel, known as the Church of Virgin Mary, and a masjid, which are mentioned in yearbooks, as well as many gravestones from the Ottoman era. [2]
Tirebolu Castle is open to public visits today. [3]
