Restoration works have come to an end in the 2200-year-old Kahta castle damaged by earthquakes

The reconstruction works started in the 2200-year-old Kahta castle, which was damaged by two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, have come to an end.

Kahta Castle is located in Adıyaman province in the southeast of Türkiye.

The history of the castle built on the steep cliffs on the west side of Kahta Stream dates back to the 2nd century BC.

Founded by the Commagene Kingdom, the castle was later used by the Roman, Mamluk, Seljuk and Ottoman Empires.

Inside the castle are water reservoirs, a bathhouse, a mosque and a secret waterway leading down to the Kahta Stream.

The castle was closed to visitors in 2005 for security reasons, and was reopened to visitors in 2022 after restoration works were completed.

On February 6, 2023, restoration works started after some parts of the castle were damaged due to the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes.

Within the scope of the restoration works, the walls that collapsed in the bazaar section of the castle were repaired and joint reinforcement works were carried out in some areas.

The castle is expected to be reopened to visitors in the near future.

Mustafa Çelik, deputy director of Adıyaman Museum, said, “The earthquake that affected 11 provinces was also effective in Adıyaman and caused serious destruction in Kahta Castle. Our ministry took action very quickly and started restoration works and the works are nearing the end and it is planned to be opened to visitors in the near future.”

Cover Photo: Orhan Pehlül/AA