Trabzon Castle is a system of historic walls and fortifications in Ortahisar, central Trabzon, rather than a single enclosed attraction. Its elevated setting between the Tabakhane and Zağnos valleys makes it a natural focus for a walk through Trabzon old town, with mosques and historic buildings nearby.
- Location: Ortahisar Mahallesi, in Trabzon city centre.
- Structure: Upper Hisar, Middle Hisar and Lower Hisar.
- Nearby museum: Trabzon Museum displays archaeological finds from excavations at the castle.
- Walking conditions: Expect slopes and uneven terrain in the area.
What are Trabzon Castle’s historic fortifications?
Trabzon Castle’s surviving fortifications trace the city’s history across several sections and periods. The Trabzon Culture Portal dates the oldest surviving walls to the 4th century BC and says the Greek historian Xenophon mentions them.
The fortifications comprise Upper Hisar, Middle Hisar and Lower Hisar. The oldest section is Upper Hisar and Inner Castle. The Trabzon Governorate describes the walls as extending from the seashore to the hills behind the city, built on older Byzantine-period foundations.
Rather than treating the castle as one enclosed visitor site, think of it as part of the city’s historic fabric. The high ground between the Tabakhane and Zağnos valleys helps explain how the walls occupy different levels of the landscape.
How do you walk between the castle area and Trabzon old town?
Start by getting your bearings around the castle’s historic walls, then follow the old-town streets at a pace that suits the slopes and uneven ground. There is no official walking route or published distance between the castle area and nearby heritage sights, so treat this as a flexible area walk rather than a signed circuit.
From a hotel in Trabzon, Guzelhisar Castle is about a 9-minute walk.
Look out for aqueducts connected with the city’s historic water system. On the castle’s western slope, the İmaret Deresi aqueduct is a 13th-century structure measuring 30 m long and 7 m high, with five arches. East of the castle, Kuzgundere Aqueduct, also called İnce Köprü, dates to the 13th century and measures 8 m long and 6 m high.
You can make the broader city-centre walk part of a Trabzon walking tour from the city centre, keeping time for the changes in elevation.
Which nearby mosques and historic buildings can you add?
Gulbahar Hatun Mosque and other historic sites in the old-town area can extend your walk beyond the fortifications. The mosque is one nearby landmark to include as you explore the district’s historic buildings.
Trabzon Museum, housed in Kostaki Mansion, adds context to the castle walk: its archaeological collection includes finds from excavations at Trabzon Castle, alongside exhibits spanning prehistoric, Ancient Greek and Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
If you want to pair the streets with a museum visit, the Trabzon Museum visit at Kostaki Mansion offers a separate stop focused on the city’s collections.
How should you plan for access and hills?
Plan for an outdoor walk on sloping, sometimes uneven ground, and keep your route flexible. The Upper and Middle sections sit on high rock between the Kuzgun stream and İmaret River, with valleys and elevated terrain shaping the approaches.
The official castle listing does not give visitor opening days or hours, ticket prices, a staffed entrance, interpretation services or visitor facilities. It also does not establish which specific sections are accessible, so avoid assuming that every stretch of wall can be entered.
From 1 April through 30 September, ticket sales end at 17:30; from 1 October through 31 March, ticket sales end at 16:30. Check the Trabzon Culture Portal before you go.
Temporarily closed
This place is listed as temporarily closed. Check the official site before you go.
Last checked November 2026.
FAQs
Is Trabzon Castle one enclosed building?
No. It is described as a system of city walls and fortifications divided into Upper Hisar, Middle Hisar and Lower Hisar.
Can you visit the castle walls?
The official listing identifies the castle as a place to visit but does not specify which sections are accessible. Check the Trabzon Culture Portal before you go.
What can you see near Trabzon Castle?
The area includes historic mosques and buildings, as well as the İmaret Deresi and Kuzgundere aqueducts. Trabzon Museum displays archaeological finds from excavations at the castle.
Is the walk through the historic area flat?
No. The elevated ground and valleys mean you should expect slopes and uneven terrain.