Kastamonu History

Researches, which are made in the caves around Kastamonu, show that first settlements in this region date back Paleolithic age. Region is ruled respectively by Gasgas in the first half of B.C. 2nd thousand; Hittites in B.C. 1500; and then Phyrgians in the middle of B.C. 8th Century. Later on, it is ruled respectively by Cimmerians, Persian, Macedonians, Pontus, Roman, Byzantines and then Kastamonu is ruled by Danişmendoğulları in 1105. Although city is captured by Byzantines for some time, city enters under Candaroğulları rule in 1213 and it is included into Ottoman lands during the reign of Yıldırım Bayezit. After Ottomans are beaten by Timur in 1402, Kastamonu, which is lost by Ottoman, is included into Ottoman lands certainly during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1461. Names such as Tumanna, Castumanna, Castrokommen, Kastomoni, Germanicopolis, Castonom are us for Kastamonu throught history. Name of city passes as Kastamon in the works of Byzantine historians. There are many old architectural structures, belonging to Çobanlar Dynasty (Kastamonu Atabeyleri), Candaroğulları, Ottoman periods in Kastamonu. We can list some of them as follows. Kastamonu Castle is constructed during the period of Byzantine period Komenos Dynasty (1081-1185) and undergoes repair in Candaroğulları and Ottoman periods. 1273 dated Atabey Mosque and Atabey Tomb, 1272 dated Yılanlı Hospital, 1262 dated Frenkşah Bath, which is constructed as double bath by the order of Frenkşah Cemalüddin, are the works, belonging to Çobanlar Dynasty, among old architectural structures in Kastamonu. Ibni Neccar Mosque, constructed by the order of Hacı Murat in 1352; Ismail Bey Social Complex, composed of mosque, madrasah, soup kitchen, hostelry, bath and tomb and constructed between 1454-1475; 1443 dated Ibrahim Bey Mosque; Castle Mosque, constructed by the order of Isfendiyar Bey between 1434-1435; Hamza Ağa Mosque, Hatun Sultan Tomb, Kurşunlu Hostelry (Ismail Bey Hostelry) are some of the works, beloning to Candaroğulları period. Nasrullah Mosque, constructed by the order of Nasrullah Kadı in 1506, Yakup Ağa Mosque and Madrasah, constructed by the order of Kilercibaşı Yakup Ağa in 1547; 1559 dated Ferhat Pasha Mosque, 1571 dated Sinan Bey Mosque; Münire (Bayraklı) Madrasah, constructed by the order of Hacı Mustafa Efendi in 1746; Clock Tower, Balkpanı Hostelry, Alem Hostelry, Urgan Hostelry, Yanık Hostelry Karanlık Bazaan, Çifte Hamam, Arabapazarı Çiftehamamı are the old architectural structures of Ottoman period in the city. Structure, which is used as Kastamonu Museum, is constructed in 1910 and it is the opus of famous architect of the period, the Architect Kemalettin Bey. Works, belonging to Kastamonu and surrounding provinces, in prehistoric ages, and Hittite, Phyrgian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuks, Ottoman periods, and ethnographic material of the region and also documents related to the hat refor, are exhibited in the musuem. Liva Pasha Residence, constructed by the order of Sadık Pasha between 1879-1881, serves as Ethnography Museum in these days. Furthermore, most of ancient houses and residences, located in Kastamonu, are under protection and some of them are repaired and opened for use. Sepetçioğlu Residence, Kırk Odalı Residence, Konyalı Residence, Mazlumcular Residence, Ismail Bey Residence, Toprakçılar Residence are some of these residences.

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