Ayas Castle

I hadn't seen it before. It's like a miniature of the Maiden's Tower. More devastated. I don't know if it's open to visitors.

Although it gives an interesting view to have a recess in the sea, I think the necessary maintenance has not been done.

The side of the castle has turned the shelter into a boat repair place, it's like a boat scrapyard, I will take pictures of it the next time I go.

It is a historical building but neglected. There is not much left of the castle as it was destroyed in history.

Ayas castle is a very different place but it definitely needs restoration. There are toilet, bath, etc. facilities on the public beach. Enjoy the life

You feel yourself before the birth of the Prophet while walking between these magnificent but war-torn walls, where the first hospital in the world was established. Until the port of Iskenderun was opened, travelers who got on ships from here were even going to Rome. During a period, there was so much intense trade that the Venetians were hired from the ruler of the period and the wheat, legumes that came here were taken to countless ports that Europe, Egypt and the sea could reach via ships. When the Turks conquered this place during the Seljuk State, this port continued its operations until the Ottoman period. In the 1800s, a two-storey port control building was established in the destroyed castle and the necessary inspection and tax was collected. After the proclamation of the Republic, with the establishment of Iskenderun port, this building lost its function and now serves as a hostel with the banning of the hotel, entertainment venue, student dormitory of the Fetö terrorist organization and seasonal tents on the beach, respectively. In addition, the other building built inside the castle is our mosque, which was still active in the republic period in the 1950s.

The city, which was built from the Middle Ages and was completely destroyed in the war with the Arabs and the Byzantines between the 7th and 10th centuries, has been a bishopric center under the name of Ayas since the 11th century. Continuing to be a famous trade port during this period, two castles were built in Ayasta, one on land and one on the island in the harbor. From 1266 to 1337, it was attacked and destroyed by the Mamluks many times.