Discover Kastamonu

Kastamonu offers a range of cultural points of interest to help you plan your trip, from the city museum and historic buildings to local confectionery traditions. These topics differ in their historical periods and character, helping you assess whether Kastamonu suits your travel interests.

City history between the castle and the medrese

Kastamonu Castle stands on a central rocky outcrop on the western side of the city and marks its highest point. It was built in the 12th century by the Byzantine Komnenos dynasty. It is considered an easily accessible viewpoint 120 metres above the city. Inside are cisterns, dungeons, escape tunnels and the tomb of Bayraklı Sultan, whose epithet means “Sultan with the Flag.” If you are planning a visit to the castle, check current access arrangements.

Another historical landmark is the government building on Sarayüstü Hill. According to written sources, administrative institutions of the city and province had been associated with this area since the 17th century. The Nasrullah Mosque stands in the city centre. With its square, fountain, bridge and later-added medrese, it forms a social complex and is considered Kastamonu’s largest mosque. The Münire Sultan Medrese is behind the mosque and was built in 1746.

The İsmail Bey Complex is also in the city centre, in the İsmail Bey neighbourhood on Şehinşah Rock. Two rock-cut tombs dating from the 7th century BCE are located there. The site thus combines a historic complex with a much earlier archaeological period.

The city museum and its collections

The Kastamonu City Museum preserves documents, objects and books, as well as images, audio and video recordings related to Kastamonu. It uses these collections for temporary and permanent exhibitions in an interactive visitor setting. Topics range from the city’s geological history, flora and fauna to archaeology and history, spanning from prehistory to the beginning of the 21st century.

The museum also explores Kastamonu’s architectural heritage and its economic, social and cultural life. It also includes a children’s workshop and a temporary exhibition area. Visitors interested in more than individual buildings can find a range of topics brought together here.

Historic houses and exploring the city

The Kastamonu houses were built from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. They are considered significant examples of civil architecture and continue to reflect social life in Turkey. Seeing them adds a more recent architectural period to the city’s older historical landmarks.

The houses can be explored along narrow streets and, in some places, by stairs; Kastamonu has uneven terrain. Bear this in mind when planning to see the houses on foot. The streets and stairs mentioned describe the nature of the exploration, not a specific route.

Çekme Helva: a local confectionery tradition

In Kastamonu, the product is sold to consumers under the name Çekme Helva. Its production began in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. To prepare it, bleached sugar is first shaped into a ring by five specially trained masters, then pulled and stretched by hand until white fibres form.

The mixture is then placed on marble and divided into small pieces. These are filled into trays and compressed before being cut into squares or baklava shapes. The process differs clearly from the historic buildings and museum collections: Çekme Helva offers a culinary perspective on Kastamonu, while the castle, medrese and houses illustrate different chapters of the city’s history and architectural heritage.

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For the main travel overview: Kastamonu.