Babakale

BABAKALE SHELTER

Light: Fl(4) 20s 32m 15M

Babakale is the most westerly point on the Anatolian coast. From the north, you can't miss the mountainous cliffs rising sharply from the shore.

Babakale Shelter is located at Baba Point (Babakale Point). It is a new and large shelter facility with a berthing capacity of 115 vessels. The local fishing cooperative administers the shelter (phone: 0535-333 42 56).

Depths in the shelter range from 2-8 meters. There are no laid moorings. Boats should anchor and secure stern-to the breakwater. Water connection is available. Fuel can be obtained from a tanker truck.

This shelter is situated in an area dominated by strong winds. The point was called "Lexton" in Greek, meaning "Windy Cape."

The shelter provides all-round protection and is particularly good in southwesterly (lodos) conditions, though northeasterlies bring strong gusts down from the hills above the village. Southerlies push swell into the harbor.

Berthing is easily available during summer months. In winter, the shelter is busy with fishing vessels, as Babakale serves as the main hub for fish transport to destinations throughout Turkey. Winter months are particularly active.

The village is situated above the shelter and provides hotels, restaurants, laundry service, and markets. Basic provisions are available.

The Ottoman castle, built in 1723 to control the coastline, overlooks the shelter.

300 years ago, the Ottomans established a port here, making it an important center for merchant vessels and especially warships. Skilled artisans were brought from Mongolia to craft weapons, and iron ore was imported from Sicily for knife and sword making. Today, only two artisans continue the craft, producing the famous Babakale knives.

Ottoman fountains and bathhouses from that period remain visitable, and the mosque from that era is still in use for worship.

Babakale is 9 kilometers by road from the town of Gürpınar.

A public market takes place in Babakale on Saturdays.