Kız Kulesi, Rize

Kız Kulesi
Location of Kız Kulesi
General information
TypeCastle
Town or cityPazar, Rize Province
CountryTurkey
Coordinates41°10′58″N 40°52′28″E / 41.182760°N 40.874441°E / 41.182760; 40.874441
Completed13th-14th century

Kız Kulesi is a medieval castle located on small islet, 1 km west of the center of Pazar, Rize Province, Turkey. According to A. Bryer it was built between 13th to 14th centuries, during the time of the Trebizond Empire. According to another sources castle was built by Genoese, as a summer residence for the daughter of a Genoese prince.

Local Laz tradition claims that the castle belonged to Queen Tamar of Georgia, who founded the Empire of Trebizond on the Black Sea coast in 1204 after the Georgian expedition to Chaldia.