Kalepark (Leonkastron / Güzelhisar Castle Viewpoint)

Kalepark is the present-day name of a medieval castle set on a steep rocky spur at the north-eastern edge of the Ortahisar walls in Trabzon's historic core, overlooking the sea and the old harbour. Its origins lie in the walls of Leonkastron, the 'Lion Castle', established and fortified here in the 14th century by Genoese merchants under agreements with the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond (the Komnenos state); in the Ottoman period the site became known as Güzelhisar, the 'beautiful castle'.

History & Significance

The fortress rises on a headland that commanded both of the city's natural harbours at once, the summer harbour to the west and the winter harbour to the east; a rival Venetian tower stood a few hundred metres to the west, with a European trading quarter growing up between the two, so that Kalepark is a tangible witness to Trabzon's medieval identity as an international port-and-trade city.

Transformation & Today

In the 1740s a grand mansion-palace was built here for the Ottoman governor, but it was largely destroyed in a great fire in 1790, and during the First World War the castle was shelled by the Russian navy because of its exposed position near the coast. Today the surviving walls and bastion remains, together with the tea gardens, promenade terraces and sea-view cafés laid out around them, have become a public recreation-and-viewpoint area; under the Trabzon Municipality's Kalepark recreation project it is being gradually redeveloped with additions such as a lighthouse-shaped monument tower and a maritime museum.

Visiting, Access & Tips

Its main draw for visitors is the marriage of history and panorama: from atop the stone walls a wide view opens over the Black Sea, the harbour and the shoreline. This is exactly why agencies slot Kalepark into the city tour: after the anchor stops of Hagia Sophia, the Atatürk Pavilion and Boztepe, it crowns the Ortahisar bazaar-and-walls walk with a short but memorable tea-and-photo break, and since entry is generally free it keeps the itinerary flexible. Average visit time is 30-45 minutes. Nearby, the Ortahisar walls, Çarşı Mosque, the Bedesten-Taş Han bazaar, the Faroz fishing harbour and the Boztepe viewpoint are all within walking or a short drive. The best shot places the wall in the foreground with the sea and harbour behind, especially in late-afternoon and sunset light. Access is easy: it is within walking distance of the central Meydan square and reachable by dolmuş minibus or taxi; because of the narrow historic lanes, large tour coaches usually park around Meydan/Ortahisar and groups walk up. The sloping, partly stone-paved ground is somewhat challenging for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility, so touring the terrace with a companion is advised. The best time to visit is the mild spring and autumn; summer and the religious-holiday periods see the peak of domestic and foreign tourist density. The recommended route is to finish the city culture tour by walking from the Ortahisar walls and bazaar to Kalepark for a tea break with a sea view.