Dağlı Castle

Dağlı Castle (Dağlı Kalesi) is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey

Geography
The castle is around Dağlı Village of Erdemli District at 36.7°N, 34.25°W. The distance between Erdemli and the village is 17 km and the distance between the castle and Mersin is 52 km. There is no vehicle road from the village to castle. Although a short portion of ancient castle road survives, the castle is accessible only through walking and partial climbing from the village. The altitude of the village is 510 m, the altitude of the castle is over 900 m and the total walking track is about 2 km.

History
The castle was built during the Roman Empire. But it was used during the Byzantine Empire and the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. It probably controlled ancient and medieval caravan routes.

The castle
The castle is on a hill overlooking Karakız valley. Most of the buildings as well as the walls are in ruins. But a big room, known as the queen’s room, survives. There are also two small compartments which are thought to be toilet and some dark quarters which may be dungeons. Next to the main gate there is a rock relief showing two soldiers and one pregnant woman. There is also a highly effaced inscription. Although it was thought to be in Armenian, up to now only a few words could be deciphered. According to Professor Bogos Levon Zekiyan, only four words are readable; to son, Armenians, king and date.