Abstract:

Due to its topographical, geographical, and strategic advantages, Niksar Castle provided signifi cant security services for centuries as a “garrison” settlement, which controlled and defended the inner regions of the Central Black Sea region. Nevertheless, it may not be accurate to describe Niksar merely as a “castle” settlement. There had been a settlement within the castle since Danishmendi period the latest and most probably since the Roman or Byzantine periods, and that current structural remains outside the walls indicate that settlement was not limited to the inner part of the fortress. Diff erent masonry works as observed in the walls and bastions that fortifi ed the walls and buildings inside the castle confi rm that the castle underwent repairs and modifi cations in time. However the only discrete date in witness of the above is the year 1198, which is read on an inscription pertaining to the period of Rukneddin Suleiman Shah, Sultan of Anatolian Seljuks. Historically speaking, it is most probably that the section in the center of the citadel is the earliest dated part of the castle. It is likely that there were administrational and guardsmen buildings of the castle in addition to the current madrasa, tomb, bath, and citadel masjid. The new buildings as erected by Danishmends to the west of the earlier dated central section of the castle indicate that the settlement was extended to the said direction especially in the 12th Century and that the castle had been a frequently used settlement throughout that period. There is an ongoing debate as regards the date and even function of certain buildings within the castle. The dungeon, a most expected part of any castle, could not have been located yet. It is well established that castles from the Middle Age, such as Antep, Afyon, Harput, Şebinkarahisar, and Amasya had dungeons. The dungeons were accessed via tunnels especially in Harput ve Amasya castles. Therefore, exploratory work on the tunnels of the castle might provide a clear answer to the question of whether there was a dungeon in the castle. Detailed work and even excavations are needed especially at inn, kitchen, prison, and tunnels as well as at the vaultcovered section in the middle of the citadel. Only upon comments based on such work a solid foundation for any accurate description and date for Niksar Castle may be provided. In conclusion, the present paper addresses the historical development of Niksar Castle, what might be the true function of certain buildings within the castle, the functions of which have been debated, and at the same time the problem of dating the castle and certain buildings inside it, with a detailed presentation of architectural characteristics of castle.

Keywords: