Fortress of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia

The photograph shows one of the fortresses of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. Cilician Armenia was founded in 1080 as the principality of the Rubenids, when Ruben I overthrew Byzantine rule in the mountains of Cilicia. In 1198 the principality became a kingdom, and its first king was Levon II. The capital was first Tarsus and later Sis. In the 12th–13th centuries the kingdom made alliances with the Crusaders and the Mongols. In 1375 the Mamluks of Egypt captured Sis, while resistance in mountainous Cilicia continued until 1424.

Cilicia was a cradle of Armenian art, science and literature; the Cilician school of miniature painting flourished here, especially through the work of Toros Roslin.

The fortress stands on a small rocky island in the sea: its walls, towers, an arcaded hall and an inner courtyard with trees and ruins are visible.