Kov Castle
There are 16 historical castles in Gümüşhane. The fact that most of the castles are located above the settlements and passages is another proof of the importance of the region and the trade route in the past. Among these castles, Kov Castle and Goat Castle were restored in 2008.
Kov castle is within the borders of the Merkez District Esenyurt (Kov) Village. The castle can be reached by a 6-kilometer stabilized road in the direction of Dağteke Village, on the Gümüşhane - Erzincan State Highway, 21 kilometers from the city center. It is also believed that there is an ancient city in this region. The castle and its surroundings are 'Archaeological Site'. Kov Castle is the most magnificent castle still standing in the Eastern Black Sea Region. It is known that the castle, which is estimated to have been built by Alexios, in 1361 ,was used during the Seljuk Period. The castle, which was repaired in 2007, stands with all its glory. Architectural Features The castle has a rectangular plan and its walls are supported by angular, round and smooth bastions. There is an irregular square planned citadel in the south direction of the building, which was built using rubble stone material. There are places such as a cistern and a kitchen to the east of the inner castle.
