Locally, Kadifekale is located in the centre of Izmir. The story of Kadifekale is entirely related to the history of the ancient Greek city Smyrna. According to legend, in the 4th century, Alexander the Great chose this place on Pagos Mountain as the location of the Smyrna acropolis. Nothing remains in the Greek settlement, but some of the city walls date back to Roman times, like the remains of a hillside theatre that have not been excavated yet.

B.C. In 197 Smyrna was taken under the control of the Kingdom of Pergamum. King of Pergamum II. It remained to the Romans after Attalos' death. In 178 AD, the city was shaken by a devastating earthquake, but it was rebuilt by the order of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. In 395 AD, the Roman Empire was divided and Smyrna came under Byzantine rule. The Byzantines restored the castle.

In the following centuries, Smyrna became a valuable property and was ruled by Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders and Genoese.

Kadifekale Castle, which was called Upper Castle in 1317, was taken by Aydınlıoğlu Mehmet Bey but could not take the Lower City. It was captured by his son Ghazi Umur Bey in 1329. Later in 1344, the Crusaders army came from below and took it away from their hands and called it Port Castle. 

In 1402, the Mongolian warlord Timur conquered the Upper Fortress and the Port Fortress and conquered the Christian part of Smyrna. In 1422, this city was the Ottoman Sultan II. Captured by Murat. In 1440, the remains of Fatih Sultan Mehmet are seen in Kadifekale Castle. 

In 1671, Kadifekale Castle was visited by Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman Turkish traveller, and stated that the vineyards, gardens and several houses that only 30 janissaries and their families lived in the castle survived. Later, the inns, baths, bazaar and mosque in it were destroyed. 

Kadifekale Castle's while visiting Turkey's southeast from toaster ovens and you will see that it makes a colourful textile texture sold to visitors.

You can click here to visit Kadifekale Castle or take a look at our Izmir Tour opportunities.