The devastation caused by last 6 february's terrible earthquake in south-eastern Turkey included the almost total destruction of a 2.000-year-old castle built during the Roman Empire. Gaziantep Castle - located in the heart of the city closest to the quake's epicenter - was built by the Romans during the II and III centuries A.D, then strengthened and expanded by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the VI century.

The castle is unique for its irregular shape and 12 towers (it was surrounded by a moat at one point, too). It withstood multiple invasions, renovations and regime changes, losing its military significance after the Ottoman Empire captured it in 1516 but holding on to its status as an important historic site and tourist attraction in the centuries since. Recently it served as the Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panoramic Museum. The panel refers to an acquisition taken on 13th february.

The image on the left is related to a RGB processing color, while the rigth one is a pancromatic image in which the Sirvani Mosque (near to the cadtle) also partially destroyed, is visible.
Seismologists have said the 6 february's earthquake was one of the largest ever recorded in Turkey. Thousandas of buildings have collapsed or heavely damaged in both Turkey and Syria, with rescuers working to save people trapped beneath the rubble.
So far, more than 41.000 people have been killed throughout the affected areas of Turkey and Syria.

Download the full frame image in jpg

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