Ankara Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi

Öz

According to Evliyā Çelebi, building activities on Chios Island date back to the era of Alexander the Great. The island was inhabited also during the Roman and Byzantine Periods following the Hellenistic Period; it became an important culture and trade centre under Genoese dominion after Latin and maintained its mentioned characteristic after 1566, when it came under domination of the Ottoman Empire.
This study is on the ancient castle of the island, which was as the political, military and commercial centre of Chios throughout the Middle and Late Middle Ages.
The Castle of Chios, as one of the focuses of great interest in the East Mediterranean Sea due to trading activities starting from the 13th century, was not only a significant centre for maritime trade between Izmir-Europe and Istanbul-North Africa but also a secure harbour for cruising ships. The commercial significance of the island continued until mid-18th century. The castle, which is located on the northern part of the port and the most important historical site of Chios, played an efficient role in defending both the port and the island under Genoese and Ottoman dominion for centuries starting from the Byzantine Period.
It is also concluded from the written historical sources that, the castle and port of Chios were under threat continuously. Although the castle, which had its share of the common Mediterranean piracy, was vandalised in different periods, buildings faced some serious destruction also caused by the constant and major earthquakes due to the island’s location above active fault lines.
This short study on the Castle of Chios aims to put forward the physical aspects of this defence structure in 17th century, based on the writings and statements of the Ottoman traveller Evliyā Çelebi, who visited the island in mid-17th century during its years of Ottoman dominion.