Birecik Kalesi

The ruins of the citadel, which guarded the Euphrates crossing point at least from Roman times and was considered unassailable, sit perched on a narrow isolated limestone outcrop in the midst of Birecik. According to an inscription the first refurbishment of the fort, called Beda Castle by the Turks, was carried out by Elmelik Ezzahir (1183-1216), Prince of Aleppo. The Mameluke Sultan Baraka Khan (1277-79) and Sultan Ka'it Bay (1482/83) made further alterations. Since then it has been left badly damaged by several earthquakes. In Moltke's time the fortress still had its massive vaulted outer defenses, three or four levels, with slits and crenellations. Beyond was a paved slope crowned by the walls and towers of the citadel itself. Behind the 5m/16.5ft-thick outer wall were battlemented parapets. Beneath the citadel lies a vast labyrinth of subterranean vaults, and a tunnel (gradient 30°) leading down to a groundwater source and so ensuring the water supply.