Zerzevan Castle
Zerzevan Kalesi | |
Church ruins at North side of Zerzevan Castle (2021) | |
| Alternative name | Samachi Castle |
|---|---|
| Location | Demirölçek, Çınar, Diyarbakır, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 37°36′29″N 40°29′57″E / 37.60806°N 40.49917°E |
| Type | Fortification |
| Area | 57 daa (5.7 ha) |
| History | |
| Builder | Eastern Roman Empire |
| Founded | 4th century |
| Abandoned | 7th century |
| Periods | Early Christianity |
| Site notes | |
| Discovered | 2014 |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Public access | Partial |
Zerzevan Castle (Kurdish: Qesra Zêrzevan, Zîrzevan Turkish: Zerzevan Kalesi Armenian: Զերզեվանի ամրոց), also known as Samachi Castle, is a ruined Eastern Roman castle, a former important military base, in Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed the existence of underground structures, among them a temple of Mithraism, a mystery religion. The castle was used as a civilian settlement between the 1890s and the 1960s. The site is partly open to tourism.