The Tash Han (Stone Han) is from 1631, an old caravansarai. In 2011 I found it was much more functional than oin earlier visits, now having lots of terraces and a decent number of shops catering to, mostly, tourism. I show some of those too. The castle looms impressively in the background on some pictures.

The present remains of ‘Tokat Kalesi’ (castle of Tokat) are mainly from the Ottoman era, although some parts have been identified as 5th – 6th century Byzantine. And almost certainly there was already a castle here in the time of the Pontic kings (2nd – 1st century BC).

During the Middle Ages the successive Islamic rulers over the region used and transformed the castle: the Danishmend emirs from Sivas (1071-1150), the Seljuk (1150-1308), the Ilhanlı (Mongol khans seated in Iran: 1308-1335), the Eretna emirs (1335-1380; capital cities: Sivas and Kayseri) and their last vizier Kadı Burhaneddin (1380-1392) who took over power and reigned in the same region. In 1392 Tokat entered the growing Ottoman state.

The fortress has 28 towers and its outer walls stretch over 1½ km. Its sole entrance lies in the west corner.
It was not only a castle difficult to enter, it was also a place hard to leave: a lot of high prisoners were kept in captivity here, including Peri Hatun, a desirable lady sultan Ibrahim wanted to marry (mid 17th century).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Türkye Tarihi Yerler Kılavuzu’ – M.Orhan Bayrak, Inkılâp Kitabevi, Istanbul, 1994.