The historic Gaziantep Castle, a relic of the Roman Empire, becomes a victim of destruction. The mega-earthquake that hit vast regions of Turkey and Syria destroyed it.
The historic fortress was a valuable part of Turkish culture. Its destruction is a big blow to the country’s rich history, without any doubt.
The historic castle is about 17.9 km from the epicenter of the earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake is Gaziantep, and it is home to two million inhabitants.
The first deadly 7.8 earthquake struck at 04:17 am at a depth of about 18 km in this city. Another deadly 7.5 earthquake followed it, with more than 50 aftershocks.
The great earthquake killed thousands of people, according to official figures. Both Syria and Turkey become the victim of deadly destruction.
Hittites built this oldest castle in Gaziantep. They were a group of people who arrived in Anatolia in the Bronze Age.
They establish a regional empire before breaking it up into smaller states. It was at the beginning of the 12th century BC.
These ancient peoples handed down their legacy to the Romans. The Romans built the main building in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. C. (at the highest point of the Empire until its collapse).
The castle is about 17.9 km from the epicenter of the earthquake. It is a watchtower atop Kudret Hill in the city of Gaziantep.
Many Anatolians used and renovated the stone fortress over the centuries. The Byzantine people continued to protect the Gaziantep castle.
The historic castle achieved its modern form under the reign of Justinian I of the Byzantine empire. The Authority of that time enlarged and strengthened it between 527 and 565 AD.
Gaziantep Castle saw changes during the reign of the Ayyubids in the 12th and 13th centuries and the Ottoman Empire.
This castle played a significant role during the Turkish War of Independence, without any doubt. Turkish people used it as the Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panoramic Museum.
Many people from Turkey and around the world love to visit this historic place. The Anadolu Agency reported about the devastation of this historic Roman-era castle.
The famous Aleppo Citadel and other archaeological sites in Syria also faced destruction. There is an Ottoman mill inside the Aleppo citadel, which collapsed.
And parts of the northeastern defensive walls in Syria cracked and split. The general directorate of antiquities and museums said in a statement.
The large part of the dome of the Ayyubid mosque minaret inside the citadel also collapsed. The destruction includes the entrance to the Mamluk defensive tower, it reported.
Several residential buildings have collapsed in the old city of Aleppo in Syria. The earthquake has spread terror and tear to the people of Syria and Turkey.
The city is famous for this citadel, an architectural jewel from medieval times, and its old city. It achieved the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger after years of civil war in 2018.
Archaeological teams reported some damaged buildings in the west-central Syrian province of Hama. It is inside the ancient Margat castle in the city of Baniás.
A part of the walls and a tower also collapsed there. Some historical facades also collapsed in the city of Hama. A cliff fell near the castle of Al Qadmus in the province of Tartus.
It is a series of massive earthquakes, without any doubt. Thousands of people lost their lives in this massive earthquake. Many lost their mother, father, wife, husband, and children.