History of Rumkale

The foundation of Rumkale dates back to the antiquities. It is accepted that people have lived in that region since the Assyrian term because of its strategic location and this place is "Sitamrat" known as seized by King III.  Salmanassar in 855 BC. The architectural remnants from Rumkale in the rule of Assyria, Med, Roman and Arabic civilizations have the characteristics of late Roman and Middle Ages.

As Rumkale is situated in the point of intersection of roads in the Middle Ages, it is known as the most important castle in the region of the Edessa County. An Armenian called Kurtig captured the castle, which has a long history and is still lasting, after 1112.

The name Rumkale was heard after the invasion of Baudoin, the earl of the Crusaders in 116. It was sold to III. Grigor, an Armenian Catholic and from then until the conquest by Melik Esref in 1292, it was a center for Armenian Catholics. Although its surroundings went under the supervision of Muslims, it protected its being a center for Armenians.

In the 13. century, there were a lot of Yakubis in Rumkale. Yakubis chose the castle as the place for the patriarchy. After the death of the patriarch Philoxenos in 1292 in Barsavma, the Yakubi Patriarchate was broke down.

The Armenian and other Christian people stood together with the Moguls during the invasion of Anatolia by the Moguls. At the same time, Rumkale was attacked by Memluks.

Memluks surrounded the castle once more during the reign of El-Esref Halil (1292) and seized the castle. The Memluk sultan gave the region to the Turkmen leaders who helped them during wars. Then, it went the control of Dulkadirogullari.

Timur Han took the castle from the Memluks in 1400 but after the death of Berkuk and the withdrawal of Timur Han, the region was the place for Turkmen leaders' fights.