The girl's fortress of Kyzkazlesi

The girl’s fortress of Kyzklesi: legends and reality on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea

in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, a few hundred meters from the shore of the charming Turkish town of Kyzkaylesi, the Erdemi district, the girl’s fortress rises (Kızkalesi), like a mysterious mirage from the Middle Ages. This impregnable Kilican citadel, located on a small island (was previously called Krambus or Krambus), attracts attention not only with its impressive architecture, but also with a romantic legend that envelops its history with a secret.

The fortress, with an area of ​​about 15 thousand square meters, is a complex complex of eight towers - triangular, quadrangular and round, connected by powerful walls with a total length of 192 meters. The main bastion, a three -story fortress, is located at the eastern tip of the island, proudly rising above the turquoise waters. The entrance to the fortress is located in the north, and along the western wall there is a covered stone gallery leading to the sea - perhaps a secret path for flight or supply of supplies. Inside the fortress, archaeologists discovered the remains of the chapels, workshops and tanks for collecting rainwater, some rooms are decorated with partially preserved mosaic floors.

The legend born of rocks and waves:
according to a local legend, the fortress was built by the king of Coricos, who prayed the gods for his daughter. His prayers were heard, and a beautiful princess was born, but the fortuneteller predicted her death from the bite of the snake. The desperate king, trying to prevent a tragedy, built a fortress on the island to protect his daughter. The princess lived in luxury, but fate turned out to be stronger: the snake hidden in a basket with sweet grapes interrupted her life.

Although the connection of the island with the mainland is disputed by historians, the legend of the girl’s tower lives, giving it a special aura of mystery and romance. Today you can get to the fortress on a local boat (about 20-40 lire in both directions), swim to it on an water bicycle or even, for the most brave ones, to get swimming. A small entrance fee will allow you to step into history and feel the breath of centuries.

And the evening view of the fortress, illuminated by bright colorful lights, turns it into a truly magical sight. Kyzkalesi and her girlish fortress are a place where reality and legend are intertwined, leaving an unforgettable impression of each visitor.