Historic castle cleansed of graffiti

AMASRA – Doğan News Agency

AA Photo

Graffiti spray-painted by vandals on the famous Amasa Castle in the Black Sea province of Bartın has been removed with a low-pressure sandblasting machine after causing outrage among both tourists and locals in the northern Turkish city. 

The castle, which dates back to the Roman era, is one of the most important artifacts in Bartın and was included on UNESCO’s temporary list in 2013.

The markings on the ancient walls surrounding the town’s Boztepe and Zindan neighborhoods, mostly names of people and notes addressed to lovers with dates and hearts, created “visual pollution,” according to local officials. Boztepe neighborhood village head Hüseyin Göktepe said displeased tourists were “shocked” to see the graffiti.

The cleaning work was carried out by the Bartın Museum Directorate in collaboration with the Amasra District Governor’s Office and the Amasra Municipality. Amasra Castle was built during the Roman period, while its walls were built by the Byzantines. The front walls and gates were built by the Genoese in the 14th and 15th centuries. Though located on a narrow peninsula, a tunnel under the castle leads to a fresh water pool.