Kızlar Sarayı (Palace of Maidens) Terrace

The Kızlar Sarayı — Palace of Maidens — Terrace is a partially surviving rock-cut and masonry terrace on Mount Harşena, positioned immediately to the right of the Pontic Royal Rock Tombs when viewed from the valley floor. The terrace represents the remains of a Pontic-era palace or ceremonial precinct that once occupied this dramatic ledge on the cliff face, positioned to dominate the city below. Archaeological evidence suggests the terrace served a residential or administrative function during the Kingdom of Pontus; its association with the 'maidens' is a later Ottoman-era folk attribution. From the terrace itself, visitors gain the best eye-level view of the Pontic tomb facades — a perspective impossible to achieve from the valley floor, where the tombs appear high on the cliff and only their lower portions are clearly visible. The view from the Kızlar Sarayı terrace also takes in an unobstructed panorama over the full Yeşilırmak gorge, the Ottoman mansions of Yalıboyu on the north bank, and the sweep of the old town below. The terrace is accessible via the same path as the Pontic rock tombs, branching off to the right before the main tomb viewpoint. Access requires moderate fitness but no technical climbing. Most visitors include it as part of the same excursion as the rock tombs, adding 20 to 30 minutes to the outing. The terrace sees a fraction of the visitor numbers of the main tomb viewpoint and rarely feels crowded.