Asarkale and Rock Tombs
It is located 30 km. southwest of Bafra District, in the Kızılırmak Valley and near Altınkaya Dam.
Asarkale belongs to the Hellenistic Age and was built for defense (protection) purposes. It is believed that (3) graves carved into the bedrock belong to the same period. Asarkale, located in the Paflagonian Region, has a strategically important position and was used for military purposes (defense). There are 3 rock tombs, two on the slopes of the castle and one on the opposite side of the river (Kızılırmak), bearing the characteristics of Greek architecture.
These three rock tombs of Asarkale and Paflagonian type are dated to the Hellenistic Period (III century BC).The castle, which is about 300 m above the river level, can be accessed by a tunnel whose entrance is at the road level.
