Yenikale Ruins
A historical castle used by Komagene, Roman, Mamluk, Seljuk, and Ottomans is located in Kocahisar village (Old Kahta), just across Arsameia, 20 km north of current Kahta. Although the exact construction date of the castle is not known, it is thought that it was left by the Hittites in the 2nd century BC.
It was founded on the steep cliffs on the western side of the Kahta Stream, which passes between the Old Kahta Castle (New Castle) and the first establishment during the Commagene Kingdom. It is known that it was later used and shaped by the Romans.
It amazes people with what technological powers this castle, which was built on steep slopes, was built. In later periods, additions and changes were made.
During the time of the Mamluks (1250-1517), major changes were made and it took its current form. The current structure of the castle and the inscriptions on it belong to the Mamluks. The Mamluks used this castle as a base while resisting the Mongols. Most of the traces that have survived in the castle belong to the Mamluks.
It was used for a long time by making additions by various states that captured this place, including the Seljuks and the Ottomans; One of those who repaired the castle was Mahmut I, one of the Ottoman Sultans.
No repairs have been made to the Castle since then. The castle gate is on the side of Kocahisar village. There are sections such as a water cistern, a masjid (with kufic pediment), a meeting room (with four vaulted stone arches), a dungeon, battlements, a waterway descending to the river, a dovecote ladder, closed passage galleries, etc.
To the east of the castle, a 400 m long road descends from the castle to the stream. This road is the connection point to Arsameia and was built to meet the water requirement of the castle from the stream during the siege. An inscription engraved on it gives information about Arsameia, the capital of Commagene, and Antiochos. Under the inscription, there is a deep and large corridor.
