Babakale – Fortress, Fountains and Knife-Making Tradition

Babakale lies at the southwestern tip of the Biga Peninsula and is considered the westernmost point of Asia. The Hırzü'l-Bahr Fortress forms the heart of the settlement. Other structures are visible outside the fortress, and the area also has a local knife-making tradition. If you are looking for hotels in Babakale, its defensive architecture, craftsmanship and maritime heritage offer concrete clues to the character of the destination.

The Fortress as a Historic Center

The fortress has a rectangular layout and four towers, each with ten gun emplacements. It was built in 1725 under the direction of Grand Admiral Mustafa Paşa; stones from Behramkale (Assos) were used in its construction. It was initially known by the name Hırz-ül Bahir. Hırzü'l-Bahr was built to protect Babakale from pirates.

Its layout and gun emplacements identify the complex as a defensive structure, while its construction date and the origin of its stones place its creation in context. The fortress can therefore be considered both in terms of its specific design and its history.

Buildings and Fountains

Kaymak Mustafa Paşa had the Ulu Cami built outside the fortress. Today, a mosque, a hammam and fountains can be seen there; little remains of the other buildings. The fortress and the structures visible outside it thus represent different aspects of the settlement’s history, although the surviving buildings are limited.

The fountains can also be distinguished by date: the Ahmed-Ağa Fountain dates from 1738–1739. The Hanım Fountain and the Yukarı Fountain are architectural monuments from the 18th century. While two specific years are given for the Ahmed-Ağa Fountain, the other two fountains are dated to a century.

Knife-Making and Traditions

Babakale is considered an important knife-making center in the surrounding area. The master craftsmen working there trace the tradition back to the fortress built in the 1720s. The craft is thus linked to the same historic structure that forms the heart of the settlement.

According to accounts, there were once as many as 18 workshops. It is also reported that swords, daggers and knives from Babakale were shipped from the local harbor by sea to destinations ranging from Syria to Egypt. The number of workshops and long-distance shipping refer to conditions in the past; by contrast, the knife-making tradition is traced by the masters working in Babakale to the fortress.

An earlier custom is also part of the settlement’s history: sailors would throw bread into the sea as a sign of respect for Latif Baba when passing by. This tradition adds a maritime connection to the history of the buildings and crafts.

Recreational Fishing and Fish

You can go recreational fishing in Babakale; the area is also renowned for its fish. The two points highlight different things: the first names an activity, while the second reflects the esteem in which the fish are held. Alongside the fortress, fountains and knife-making, this offers another perspective on Babakale.

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For the main travel overview: Aydin.