Zilkale

Zil Castle is one of the most distinctive monuments of the region. 15 kilometers south of the district centre, it is established on the western slopes of Fırtına Stream. The rock mass on which the castle was built is 750 meters above sea level and 100 meters above the stream bed. The castle comprises of outer walls, middle walls and the inner citadel. A pathway from the northwest leads to the door of the outer walls. There are three important buildings within the middle walls: the guard house, the chapel and the main tower. The beam traces and holes on the wall shows that the tower used to have four floors. The walls have arched windows on the eastern side, and loophole holes on other sides. The top of the tower used to be a covered terrace. Zil Castle, like other castlesas Kale-i Bala, Ciha Castle and Kız Castles, provided the security of the region and the important medieval caravan route reaching İspir. The castle was used also after the conquest of the Ottomans. Two cannons found in the castle are exhibited in Trabzon Museum. The building which has a beautiful view overlooking the valley, has undergone a recent restoration.