Koz Castle Village

Koz Castle Village, which is connected to Altinözü district of Antakya, is among the important geographies that contain historical heritage. As can be seen from the name of the region that gained importance with Islam, its most important structure is Koz Castle. Although the castle is known by two other names (Kurşat Castle, Kuseyr Castle), it was built to secure and protect the southern region of Antakya. The castle, which is mostly used by the Crusaders and Byzantine, was built by the Islamic Army between 661 and 750. Although he was subjected to many sieges by the Umayyads and Abbasids, the Crusaders could not possess the castle. Koz Castle, which is also residing in the Latin Patriarchate of Antioch, was encircled by Baybars in 1268. Thus, we can say that the Mamluk army has surrounded the castle for the first time. Built on an area of 43 thousand square meters, Koz Castle has a 300-meter javelin square inside. There are also bathhouses, water tanks, arsenals, military wards and surveillance sites inside the castle. This magnificent building, which is protected by the Antakya museum, also reveals the importance of Hatay and its surroundings.