The Mamure Castle is a medieval castle located 6 km east of the town of Anamur in the city of Mersin in southern Turkey.
Mamure Castle is also called the Castle of Anamur and was built in 13th century on the site of a fortress built in the 3rd Century AD. You can reach the castle by car and it's only a 2-hour drive from Alanya.
This detailed guide to Mamure Castle explains everything about the entrance, how to get there, its history, and many other useful tips...
What Can I Do in Mamure Castle?
Restorations are currently going on at Mamure Castle.
Mamure Castle, one of the best preserved castles in the south of Turkey, dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was enlarged during the Byzantine Empire. Although, the castle we are seeing today was built by order of Seljuk Sultan, Alaeddin Keykubat. It was repaired in 1450 by Karamanoglu İbrahim Bey and used until the end of the Ottoman Empire.
Bearing traces from so many civilizations, the castle has various characteristics, with more than a 1500-year history.
Mamure Castle stands near the coast, between two sand beaches. You can easily understand at first glance that this is the ultimate location for protection, as it dominates both the land and the sea.
The area of the fortress surrounded by a moat is 23,500 m². The length of the outer walls of the fortress is about 580 m. There are 39 towers (4 of them are larger than the others) and bastions. The castle has 3 courtyards, all separated from each other by high walls.
The construction material used in the castle was various types of stones and khorasan mortar. Block stones were also used on some windows, entrances, and door edges. Additionally, it is possible to see the traces of later construction using bricks.
Going through the gateway, which still has part of its tierce-point arch, you come into the first courtyard. There is a staircase leading up to one of the towers of the outer enclosure wall. It's possible to look out over the whole of the fortress from here.
Passing through a slit in the wall, you will reach the second courtyard that is larger than the first. Here you can see a mosque structure that is in good condition. This is an active mosque, which was renovated and currently open for prayers. The first construction of Mamure Mosque, which has the classical elements of the 16th century Ottoman architecture, was carried out during the Karamanids Period.
There is also a fountain and a bath complex in this courtyard.
We suggest you also visit the ancient city of Anemurion, an ancient Hellenistic city near Mamure Castle. Anemurion stands just 64 km from the island of Cyprus.
All artifacts found in the ancient city of Anemurium are exhibited in the Anamur Museum.
Entrance, Tickets, and Tours
How to Get to Mamure Castle
Mamure Castle is located 6 km south-east of Anamur, 216 km west of Mersin, on part of the Antalya-Mersin highway on shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Public Transportation: From the Mersin Intercity Bus Station, you can take minibuses that go to Anamur to reach Mamure Castle.
By Car: You can take the D-400 highway to get Mamure Castle, which is located between Antalya and Mersin, 6 km south-east of Anamur.
If you are not fan of prepared tours, the best way is to rent a car in Antalya and get there yourself. It's an amazing trip to take. Please check our guide on how to rent a car in the Antalya Region.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Mamure Castle lies on the beach east of the town of Anamur in the city of Mersin, Turkey.
By Car: You can take the D-400 highway to get Mamure Castle, which is located between Antalya and Mersin, 6 km south-east of Anamur.
Public Transportation: From the Mersin Intercity Bus Station, you can take minibuses that go to Anamur to reach Mamure Castle.
The entrance fee for Mamure Castle is 12,5 TL in 2021.
Mamure Castle, one of the best preserved castles in the south of Turkey, dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was enlarged during the Byzantine Empire. Although, the castle we are seeing today was built by Seljuk Sultan, Alaeddin Keykubat. It was repaired in 1450 by Karamanoglu İbrahim Bey and used until the end of the Ottoman Empire.
The History of Mamure Castle
The first fortress was built in 3rd century AD during the Roman Empire to defend the city against pirates. Later, it was reconstructed many times by the Byzantine Empire and the Crusaders.
Between the years 1190 and 1380, the fortress was taken by the Armenian Cilician Kingdom and was significantly rebuilt by its rulers.
The Seljuk Sultan, Aleaddin Keykubad, expanded the castle in 1221. Later it was captured by the Karamanids and became part of their state. Following some serious renovation work, the castle received its current name, "Mamure", which means "Prosperous".
In 1475 the fortress was annexed by the Ottomans and used until the end of the Ottoman Empire.
The Mamure Castle has survived intact until today and bears traces from many civilizations and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
Also on the UNESCO World Heritage List is Pamukkale. It's worth visiting in the region. Read our complete Guide to Pamukkale.