Exploring The 16Th Century: Castles Of Azerbaijan, Italy, Turkey, And Cyprus

Castles are a testament to a country's rich history and complex past. Italy, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Cyprus all have their fair share of magnificent castles, each with its own unique story. One such castle is the 16th-century Kyrenia Castle in Cyprus, built by the Venetians over a previous Crusader fortification. With its thick walls, cannon embrasures, and gun ports, it stands as a testament to the evolution of warfare. Italy boasts the Sforza Castle, a 15th-century citadel that was one of the largest in Europe and underwent expansions in the 16th century. Azerbaijan's Palace of the Shirvanshahs, dating back to the 12th century, showcases the country's medieval history and architecture. Lastly, while the specific time period is unclear, Turkey is home to numerous castles, such as the Afyonkarahisar Castle, reflecting the region's ancient and medieval construction.

The Castle of Shindan in Azerbaijan

The castle's name, Shindan, is derived from the Persian "قلعه شیندان", further emphasizing its historical significance.

Shindan Castle is not the only historic castle in Azerbaijan. There are several other castles and fortresses scattered across the country, each with its own unique features and historical context. For example, the Maiden Tower in Baku's old city, also known as Qiz Qalasi, is an iconic eight-storey cylindrical tower that served as a fire temple before becoming a fortification in the 12th century. Another notable castle is the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a 15th-century complex in Baku's old city that held both royal and religious significance.

Azerbaijan's rich history is also evident in castles like Sabayil Castle, a submerged medieval fortress on the coast of the Caspian Sea. This castle, also known as "The Atlantis of the Caspian Sea," resurfaced in the early 18th century when the Caspian Sea receded, providing valuable historical insights.

The presence of castles like Shindan in Azerbaijan showcases the country's ancient past and highlights the importance of fortifications across different historical eras.

Kyrenia Castle in Cyprus

Kyrenia Castle in North Cyprus is a 16th-century castle built by the Venetians over previous fortifications, including a 12th-century chapel with late Roman capitals. The castle has existed since the 10th century BC, with Greek traces from the 7th century BC, but it was developed into a city under Roman rule. The Byzantines built the original castle in the 7th century to defend against the new Arab maritime threat.

The castle has been subjected to several sieges, including a Genoese attack in 1373 that almost destroyed it. In 1540, the Venetians enlarged the castle, giving it its present-day appearance, with thick walls and embrasures for cannons. They also installed gun ports at three levels to direct cannon fire against attackers from the land.

The castle contains the Shipwreck Museum, which exhibits the remains of a Greek merchant ship from the 4th century BC, one of the oldest vessels ever recovered. The ship was discovered in 1965 by a Greek-Cypriot diver, laden with millstones and amphorae of wine.

Today, visitors can enter the castle through its northwest entrance, which opens onto a bridge spanning the moat. Inside, there is a large inner courtyard lined with guardrooms, stables, and living quarters. The arched rooms to the north and east of the yard belong to the Lusignan Period, as do the royal quarters to the west. The battlements offer stunning views of the surrounding area, and visitors can walk almost the entire extent of the castle's walls.

Sforza Castle in Italy

Sforza Castle, or Castello Sforzesco in Italian, is a medieval fortification located in Milan, Northern Italy. The castle was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification.

The original construction was ordered by Galeazzo II Visconti, a local nobleman, between 1358 and 1370. This castle was known as the Castello di Porta Giova, named after a gate located nearby. It was enlarged by Galeazzo II's successors, including Gian Galeazzo and Giovanni Maria, until it became a square-plan castle with 200-metre-long sides, four towers at the corners, and walls up to 7 metres thick. The castle served as the main residence of the Visconti lords until it was destroyed by the Golden Ambrosian Republic in 1447.

In 1450, Francesco Sforza began reconstructing the castle to turn it into his princely residence. Sforza hired the sculptor and architect Filarete to design and decorate the central tower, which is still known as the Torre del Filarete. After Francesco's death, his son, Galeazzo Maria, continued the construction under the architect Benedetto Ferrini.

In 1494, Ludovico Sforza became the lord of Milan and invited several artists to decorate the castle, including Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle was one of the largest citadels in Europe. It was extensively rebuilt by Luca Beltrami between 1891 and 1905 and now houses several museums and art collections.

The castle has a quadrangular plan and is located outside the historical centre of Milan. The wall facing the countryside north of Milan has square towers and an ogival gate that was once accessed through a drawbridge. The castle also features round towers, commissioned by Francesco Sforza to improve defence against fire weapons. The central tower, the Torre del Filarete, is a modern reconstruction, while the upper sections of the round towers are also modern reconstructions.

The main gate leads to a large court where several internal features can be seen, including the Tower of Bona of Savoy and the Rocchetta, a defensive structure with its own gate. The wing of the castle originally used as a ducal residence, the Corte Ducale, features a court with two loggias, including the Loggiato dell'Elefante, named after a fresco of an elephant.

The Sforza Castle complex includes several museums, such as the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Egyptian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Milan, and the Museum of the Rondanini Pietà, which features Michelangelo's last sculpture.

Afyonkarahisar Castle in Turkey

The Castle of Afyonkarahisar, also known as Afyonkarahisar Kalesi, is a historical fortification located in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. The name "Afyonkarahisar" means "Black Opium Castle" and refers to both the defensive fortification and the town it overlooks. The town was renamed from Afyon to Afyonkarahisar in 2004 to highlight the castle and move away from its association with opium cultivation.

The castle was originally built by the Hittite king Mursilis II around 1350 B.C. on top of a 740-foot-tall mass of volcanic rock. Throughout its long history, it has been occupied and reconstructed by various rulers, including the Phyrigians, Lydians, Achaemenids of Persia, Alexander the Great, the Seleucids, Pergamenes, Romans, and the Byzantine Empire. In 1071, the Seljuks conquered the city and renamed it Kara-Hisar. The castle was a site of contention during the Crusades, eventually falling into the hands of the Ottoman Empire. It was briefly lost during Tamerlane's invasion but was recaptured by the Ottomans in 1429, becoming a major centre of opium production.

Today, the castle stands as a testament to its rich history, with the remaining structures mainly from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, along with some modern restorations. Visitors can hike up the steep stairs to the summit, passing Ottoman guard towers along the way. While the castle itself is empty, it offers breathtaking views of the old town of Afyonkarahisar below. The hike to the top is strenuous, and visitors are advised to descend before nightfall as the path is unlit.

The Afyonkarahisar Castle is a fascinating attraction, offering insights into the defensive strategies, architectural styles, and historical significance of the region. Its imposing presence overlooking the ancient town of Afyonkarahisar makes it a memorable destination for those interested in exploring Turkey's rich cultural heritage.

The Three Towers of San Marino in Italy

The Three Towers of San Marino, also known as the San Marino Castle, are a group of towers located in San Marino, on the three peaks of Monte Titano in its capital city, also called San Marino. These towers are depicted on both the national flag and coat of arms. The three towers are the Guaita, the Cesta, and the Montale Tower.

The Guaita, also known as the Rocca or the First Tower, is the oldest of the three, constructed in the 11th century. It served as a prison until 1970 or 1975 and has been rebuilt numerous times, most recently in the 15th century. The name "Guaita" means "to stand guard" in the San Marino dialect. The tower features a sloping roof, a double-wall circle, a central core that was the guardhouse, and a chapel dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen.

The Cesta, also known as the Fratta or the Second Tower, is located on the highest of Monte Titano's summits, at 755 or 756 meters above sea level. It was constructed in the 13th century, though it has undergone several renovations and fell into ruin. It was restored in the 20th century and now houses a museum of ancient weapons, featuring over 1,500 weapons from the Medieval Era to the modern day.

The Montale, also known as the Third Tower, is located on the smallest of Monte Titano's summits. Constructed in the 14th century, it is the smallest of the three towers but played a strategic role in defence, offering a lookout position with 360-degree views of the valley below. Unlike the other towers, the Montale is not open to the public. It features an 8-metre-deep dungeon and is surrounded by large boulders stacked like primitive walls.

The Three Towers of San Marino are important symbols of the Republic, representing the defence of freedom and liberty. They are located just outside the historic city centre and can be easily reached by walking along a series of pathways.

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