Recently Discovered Secret Tunnel in Turkey to Open for Tourism

A secret tunnel discovered during restoration work under Tokat Castle, Turkey’s second-largest castle in the northern province of Tokat, will shortly be opened to tourists. The tunnel, known as Ceylanyolu, is claimed to have been used by a Roman king’s daughters in order to go to the Pervane bath in the Çanakç? stream area.

Tokat Governor’s Office Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate started restoration work in the castle in 2009 in order to open the castle to tourism and completed in 2010. Last September, work began again to reinforce the bastions in the castle, which were used for defense in the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.

Over the course of the restoration carried out by three archaeologists at cubes, a military shelter, two dungeons and a secret tunnel to the Pervane Bath in the city center were discovered. It has been claimed that Wallachian Prince Vlad III “The Impaler,” who was also known as Dracula and lived between 1431 and 1476, was held captive in one of the these dungeons during the early 15th century.

However, most historians say he was kept in captivity in Romania. The exact length of his captivity is open to debate, though indications are that it was from 1462 to 1474.

Work has recently begun to open the castle’s secret tunnel to tourism. A railway system has been set up for the removal of stones and earth at the entrance of the tunnel. The Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Abdurrahman Akyüz, highlighting the importance of the castle, said, “The castle served as a prison in the Ottoman era, and many famous figures was kept there.”

It is estimated that the tunnel is about 300-350 meters long and goes to the Pervane Bath.

Source: Travel & Tour World