Wednesday, 23 April 2025
The Mennan Castle, hidden by the Taurus Mountains, awaits visitors

The Mennan Castle, hidden by the Taurus Mountains, awaits visitors

The Mennan Castle, located at the summit of the Taurus Mountains and whose establishment date is unknown, offers unique beauty for history, nature, and photography enthusiasts. The castle was last used by the Karamanoğlu Principality.

Due to its location on a steep terrain, Mennan Castle, which has been used by the Hittites, Lydians, Assyrians, Persians, Seleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Karamanids, and Ottomans throughout history, is known to be quite difficult to conquer.

Located on the top of a plateau-like hill, which can only be accessed through a narrow strip in the Mazı plateau on the west side, the castle is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, where the Göksu River meets the Erik Stream.

Despite the numerous wars it has witnessed, Mennan Castle continues to defy time with its cisterns, warehouses, shelters, towers, and secret tunnels inside.

Finally, according to historical sources, during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Karamanoğlu Pir Ahmed Bey took refuge in Mennan Castle after losing the war against the Ottomans. However, the Ottoman Grand Vizier Gedik Ahmed Pasha, who pursued him, captured the castle.