Meydancık Castle
{{short description|Ruins of an ancient castle in Mersin Province, Turkey}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Meydancık Castle
|partof =
|location = Gülnar, Mersin Province
|image = Meydancık Castle, Mersin Province.jpg
|caption =
|map_type = Turkey
|coordinates = {{coord|36|17|03|N|33|25|47|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|map_size =
|map_caption =
|type = Fortress
|code =
|built =
|builder = Pirandu (Luwian People)
|materials =
|height =
|used =
|demolished = Most of it
|condition =
|ownership =
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles =
|events =
}}
File:Coins, Silifke Museum.jpg
Meydancık Castle ({{langx|tr|Meydancık Kale}}) is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey. The original name was Kirshu and the name of the ruin during Ottoman times was Beydili Kale.
Geography
The castle is located at {{coord|37|17|03|N|33|25|47|E}}, south of Gülnar. It is on a {{convert|700|m|adj=on}} hill at the west of the road between Gülnar and Aydıncık. Visitors can reach the castle either from Gülnar by an {{convert|11|km}} road or from Aydıncık by a {{convert|35|km}} road. From Mersin the total distance (via Gülnar) is about {{convert|165|km}}.
History
After the collapse of the Hittite Empire, Anatolia experienced a period of turmoil. Many small states emerged, one of which was Pirandu in South Anatolia, which was established by the Luwian people at the west of the Göksu River around the 7th century BC. The capital of Pirandu was Kirshu.{{cite web|title=KELENDERİS, A PORT BETWEEN ASIA MINOR AND CYPRUS|url=http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/kelenderisandcyprus.html|website=www.emu.edu.tr|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721051028/http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater/Symposiums/symposiums1/abstracts/kelenderisandcyprus.html|archive-date=21 July 2011}}{{cite book|url=http://issuu.com/eforweb/docs/mersin?e=1003590/2886104 |title=Mersin: Ören Yerleri, Kaleleri, Müzeleri |isbn=978-605-4196-07-4 |publisher=Ekin Grubu (2007, first edition); İl Özel İdaresi (2009 edition) |location=Istanbul |oclc=805652523 |language=tr |editor1-first=Osman |editor1-last=Arik |editor2-first=Mehmet |editor2-last=Çalışkan |editor3-first=Ayşe |editor3-last=Aydın |editor4-first=Ümit |editor4-last=Aydınoğlu |editor5-first=Filiz |editor5-last=Kerem |others=Prepared by Filiz Kerem; Photographs by Selami Türk; Graphic design by Tanrtim Sanatlari |trans-title=Mersin: Oren Places, Castles, Museums |edition=First |date=2009 |orig-year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604154220/http://issuu.com/eforweb/docs/mersin?e=1003590/2886104 |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |url-status=live }} However, in the 6th century BC, Kirshu was sacked by the Babylon Emperor Neriglissar. After Babylon was defeated by the Persians, Kirshu came under Achaemenid rule and after the Achaemenid Empire was defeated by Alexander III of Macedon, Kirshu was incorporated within the realm of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182751/http://www.gulnarweb.com/meydancik%20kale.htm Gülnar Meydancıkkale page {{in lang|tr}}] and later that of the Seleucid Empire.
The fortification
The plan of the fortification is roughly rectangular, with the longer dimension oriented along a north–south axis. The total area is 750 x 150 m2 (2460 x 490 ft2) In the fortification the military units were at the north side of the hill and the only entrance to the castle was via the gate at the northeast corner. The palace was in the middle. A public treasure consisting of 5215 coins from various Hellenistic states has been unearthed in the palace. These coins are now exhibited in Silifke Museum. Another important find was a stamp of Muwatalli II,[http://www.mersinkulturturizm.gov.tr/Genel/BelgeGoster.aspx?F6E10F8892433CFF5187E7E9DF69685BFFB31DDACD1CE3B0 Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mersin{{in lang|tr}}] which was surprising because Hittites inhabited the area long before the establishment of Pirundu. At the southern end, there is a wide wellhole, the function of which is debatable. It might either be a cistern or an altar or may even be a secret passage. At the present, excavations down to {{convert|23|m}} give no clue.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ancient settlements in Turkey}}
{{Castles in Turkey}}
{{Mersin Province}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meydancik Castle}}
Category:Former populated places in Turkey
Category:Ruined castles in Turkey