Akcakoca Genoese Castle

Akcakoca Genoese Castle

Akcakoca Genoese Castle

The Akçakoca Fortress, also known as the Genoese Castle, is situated within the borders of the Düzce province, near the city of Akçakoca. The fortress stands tall on a cliff and was constructed using stone and brick, with semicircular eaves on the west side. The fortress boasts a bastion on its southern wall, and cisterns can be found within its courtyard.

According to historical records, the Genoese placed their coat-of-arms on the fortress walls of Istanbul and Amasra to indicate their ownership. Chemical analyses conducted on the brick and plaster used in the later construction of the Akçakoca Fortress suggest that it was also likely built by the Genoese during their occupation.

The Akçakoca Fortress has been added to UNESCO's Tentative List in 2020 under the title "Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea." This recognition highlights the historical and cultural significance of the fortress, and its role in the Genoese trade routes that spanned the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.