Meletios Castle

Winters in Mesudiye are cold and rainy, which can make the rock-carved staircase slippery. The last weeks of spring and the first months of autumn are more suitable for both walking and photography. It can also be visited in summer; however, early morning or close to sunset hours are more comfortable as the sun directly hits the rock surface at noon.

There is a road of approximately 108-114 km from Ordu center to Mesudiye; this distance varies according to sources. From Mesudiye district center to Yeşilit Village is 15 km. The road is asphalt, easily accessible by private car. After arriving at the village, a car is not used to go up to the castle; the last part must be completed by walking and via a rock-carved staircase.

The castle itself does not cover a large area; 45 minutes to 1.5 hours is sufficient for visiting and taking photos. But if you also consider the road to Yeşilit Village and the time to be spent in the village, it is more efficient to combine the day with other historical sites in Mesudiye (e.g., Kaleky Castle) and allocate half a day.

Those who go to Mesudiye usually visit Meletios Castle not alone, but together with other historical sites of the district. Kaleky Castle, 6 km from Mesudiye center, and the rock tombs around it can be considered on the same route. Seeing both Meletios and Kaleky in one day creates a meaningful route in terms of comparing traces of different periods in the same region.

Since access to the castle is via a staircase carved into natural rock, the ground is uneven and can be slippery at times. There are no handrails or safety barriers, so careful steps are required. This structure is not suitable for families with small children and those with walking difficulties. Since signposts within the village may be limited, asking a local for directions saves time.

The most striking view of the castle is obtained from the opposite slope of the village, where the entire rock block on which it is built can be seen. While climbing to the castle, the carved staircase itself offers an interesting frame with its texture. At the summit, the view of Yeşilit Village and the surrounding green valley provides a good angle for photography.

Meletios Castle is considered the oldest settlement in the region. Some sources state that the castle served as the capital of the Emirolu Principality, one of the pioneering branches in the Turkification process of the Black Sea, and has a history of approximately 900 years. Its construction on natural rock blocks makes the castle remarkable both defensively and geographically.