Historical Tortum Castle, Mengücek-Gürcü Walls and Fruity Canyon Route

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore Historical Tortum Castle, built like an eagle's nest at the top of a huge limestone cliff overlooking the Tortum Stream valley, is one of the key border defense castles of the Çoruh basin from ancient times to the late Middle Ages. The castle, whose foundations were laid in ancient times before Christ, was used as a strategic surveillance and garrison center during the Middle Ages, during the Georgian Bagratid kings, Seljuks, Saltuks and Ottoman Empire periods. The inner castle walls, bastions, hidden rock stairs and water cisterns, which were built gradually in line with the steep rocks, have survived to the present day largely intact. In his Travelogue, Evliya Çelebi describes with admiration the majesty of Tortum Castle hanging on steep rocks and the orchards lined up along the valley. The historical Fruity village and canyon valley, located at the foot of the castle, is one of the most authentic valley settlements of the Eastern Black Sea transition zone, with its walnut trees, mulberry gardens and centuries-old stone houses. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features Tortum Stream rises on steep rocks at an altitude of 1,480 meters along the canyon cleft. There is a roaring stream on the valley floor, and a rich vegetation consisting of wild almonds, junipers and pine trees on the steep valley slopes. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees