Softa Castle
{{Short description|Archaeological site in Turkey}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Softa Castle
|partof = Arsinoe
|location = Mersin Province, Turkey
|image = Softa Castle 1.jpg
|image_size = 280px
|caption =
|map_type = Turkey
|coordinates = {{coord|36|06|16|N|33|01|02|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|map_size =
|map_caption =
|type = Fortress
|code =
|built =
|builder = Roman Empire
|materials =
|height =
|used =
|demolished = Most of it
|condition =
|ownership =
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =
|garrison =
|current_commander =
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|occupants =
|battles =
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}}
Softa Castle ({{langx|tr|Softa Kalesi}}) is a ruined castle in Bozyazı ilçe (district) of Mersin Province, Turkey.
Geography
The castle, to the east of Bozyazı district center is situated on a hill of {{convert|140|m}} high and close to Turkish state highway D400. However, the road doesn't reach the castle. Visitors have to walk up the last {{convert|200|m}} course. The distance to Bozyazı is only {{convert|4|km}} and to Mersin is {{convert|212|km}}.
History
The castle was built in late Roman times. Its original name was Sycae ({{langx|el|Συκαὶ}}), and continued to be used under the Byzantine Empire. In the first half of the 13th century, it was captured by the Atabeg Ertokuş of the Seljuk Turks. It was also used during the Karamanid era (up to mid 15th century). In the 1470s it was captured by Gedik Ahmet Pasha of the Ottoman Empire.
Archaeology
It is an oval shaped castle where the narrowest diameter is about {{convert|80|m}}. The ruins out of the castle spread out to ancient Arsinoe. In the southern slopes of the hill there are graves. The portal is on the west rampart. In the castle there are ruins of a palace, a bath, several cisterns and a mosque. Mersin Governorship: Mersin Ören Yerleri Kaleleri Müzeleri ("Mersin Ruins, castles and museums"), {{ISBN|978-605-4196-07-4}} p.282
In popular culture
According to a popular belief, there is an underground connection between Softa Castle and Mamure Castle to the west, which so far is not proven. The distance between the two castles is about {{convert|10|km}}. Another belief is that the castle is protected by snakes. [http://www.bozyazihaber.com/haber.php?haber_id=18 Bozyazı newspaper] {{in lang|tr}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/softa_kalesi&page=all Dick Dosseman's photo gallery of Softa Castle]
{{Mersin Province}}
{{Castles in Turkey}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Byzantine fortifications in Turkey
Category:Archaeological sites in Mersin Province, Turkey
Category:Byzantine sites in Anatolia
Category:Ancient Roman buildings and structures in Turkey