Zilkale
Zilkale is a medieval castle located in the Fırtına Valley, and is one of the most important historical structures in Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
The castle is built at an altitude of, and sits at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Fırtına Creek (Fırtına Deresi approximately below running at an elevation of southeast of it.
It is believed that the castle was built in the 14th-15th century. The castle consists of outer walls, middle walls and inner castle. There are garrison quarters, and a possible chapel and head tower. According to Anthony Bryer, it is an Armenian chapel and built for Empire of Trebizond for local Lord of Hamshenis.Etymology
Zilkale: Turkish zil for "bell" and kale for "castle".
Alternatively:
Zilkale: Persian zir "lower" and kale for "castle".
