TOKAT CASTLE

Built during the Roman period (30 BC - 395 AD) for road security, the castle remained under Byzantine rule for approximately 500 years. First conquered by Danishmend Melik Ahmet Gazi in 1074, the castle changed hands frequently, successively passing under the rule of the Danishmendids, Seljuks, Ilkhanids, Eratna, Kadı Burhanettin, and the Ottoman Empire. Built on steep and rugged rocks, the castle is a natural fortress. During the Ottoman era, its dungeon, known as "Çardak-ı Bedevi," served as a prison for many famous figures, including the Byzantine Emperor A. Diogenes. It was also the prison of Vlad the Impaler, the legendary hero of horror films, the prince of Wallachia (Romania) who was defeated by the Ottomans. Vlad, also known as Dracula, was first kept under surveillance with his brother in Eğrigöz Castle in Kütahya, then in Tokat Castle, before being sent to Edirne to join Prince Mehmet (Mehmed the Conqueror), where he received a period of education. An ancient rock tomb is carved into the southwest of the castle. The tomb has a column at its entrance and two chambers, one large and the other smaller. Furthermore, a 362-step staircase leads down to the base of the castle. A large portion of this staircase is currently accessible.