Maghvaberd castle

Turkey / Icel / Mut /
 christianity, cave(s), archaeological site, fortress, interesting place

Maghvaberd (or Meghvaberd) is a prominent medieval Armenian castle built in 1192 to defend western borders of Cilician Armenia's Kingdom. There are stables feed-racks and cisterns carved into the rocks that are resembles a bee honeycomb seen from a distance. Name of Maghvaberd (in Armenian language: Մաղվաբերդ or Մեղվաբերդ) originate from Armenian words "Megava" (means: Bee's) and "Berd" (means: Fortress), so name of Maghvaberd means "Bee's Fortress" in Armenian language. Probably name of Mavga is a Turkish transcription to Maghvaberd without any meaning in Turkish language. Since the 1368 the fortress was captured and destroyed by Seljuks. Today ruins of Maghvaberd are about 16 km from Mut, near the Kozlar Plateau in modern Turkey, which is a resort for gasterbeiters coming from Germany to spend their summer and the natural home of Yoruks.. The castle was built carving into steep rocks of the side of the mountains. There was some inscription available in Armenian language at the north side of the castle. But also believed that the castle existed even at the Hittites era. The high meadow offers a beautiful view of the yaylas around.
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Coordinates:   36°43'36"N   33°30'3"E
This article was last modified 10 years ago