Eski Malatya City Walls

The construction of the first walls started during the Titus Period, towards the end of the 1st century CE, with the establishment of the XII Legion Headquarters. Emperor Traianus later expanded the construction, and under Constans I, the work accelerated until Justinian gave the walls their final form in 532. These walls, once protecting the city of Melitene from external threats, are now in a heavily ruined state. The construction technique involves large stones covering the inner and outer surfaces, with rubble stones and mortar filling the gaps. Parts that were damaged were later reinforced with cut stones. According to records, the wall had 95 towers and 11 gates. The fortification moat was expanded in 1060, and after the city was seized by Danishmend Gümüştekin Ahmet Gazi on September 18, 1102, the walls were repaired. Evliya Çelebi provides information about the castle in his Seyahatname, mentioning the significance and details of its structure.