Turkey: Ayasuluk Fortress
Ayasuluk Fortress aka Selcuk Citadel towers n a high hill over the town of Seljuk. The citadel dates back to the Byzantine times and just outside the citadel walls stands the 6th century ruined Byzantine Basilica of St Jones. Both sites are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site for Ephesus. The citadel was greatly enhanced during the Seljuk times and is truly massive – 15 rectangular towers interconnected with 4m thick walls 1.8km in circumference, all enclosing the inner space with a few ruined buildings and a mosque. The fortress is almost picture perfect image of what one would think a medieval fortress should look like – strategically positioned, super defensive, and grand in appearance. And once again – we were the only visitors.
