Overview:

Van Castle is an ancient fortress located in the city of Van in Eastern Turkey. Built by Armenian kings in the 9th century, the castle played a major role during the Armenian kingdom of Vaspurakan with its capital at Van. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1878, it was captured by the Russian forces from the ruling Ottoman Turks, and later, it was occupied by the Republic of Turkey’s military. Today, the site serves as a major tourist attraction, housing numerous ancient artifacts from the region. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

Van Castle is located in the ancient city of Van, in south-eastern Turkey. It stands atop a hill overlooking the city and is an impressive sight. It was originally built in the 9th century by the Urartian King Sardur II and was later expanded by Seljuk rulers in the 12th century. The castle is built from basalt blocks and is surrounded by four walls, each more than 25 feet high. It contains three main gateways: the North, South and East gates; and one small gate known as the Isla gate. Inside the walls, there is a complex of buildings including a palace, a mosque, reception halls, a library, baths and dwellings. The castle is one of the most prominent features in Van and is an important architectural monument. It is a popular tourist attraction and is open to visitors all year round. The castle is a reminder of the period when Van was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Urartu. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Van Castle (also known as Hoşap Castle) is an ancient castle located in the historic city of Van in eastern Turkey. It dates back to the Urartian period (9th to 6th century BC) and was once used as a defensive fortress. It commands a magnificent view over the Lake Van region and the surrounding area. In the 8th century BC the castle was ruled by the Urartu Empire and used mainly to ensure the security of their kingdom. It is believed to have been constructed by the famous king Rusa II. During the Seljuk period (11th century AD) the castle was used as a garrison under the rule of the Seljuk Sultanate of Anatolia. During the period of Mongol invasion the castle again served as a fortress, thus giving the city an important strategic role in the defense of the region against invaders. In the 16th century, the castle was used by the Ottoman Empire as a military garrison and arsenal. During this time, the castle was renovated and extended, becoming an important element of the defensive architecture of the region. The castle is now in a state of ruin, but parts of it are still visible today including the remains of walls, towers, and ramparts built during the Ottoman period. As part of the city's monuments, some parts of the castle are still accessible to visitors. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The city of Van is the site of the ancient stronghold of the Van Citadel, well-known as Van Castle. The castle overlooks the city of Van and Lake Van, and is both an iconic part of the city's history as well as a popular tourist destination. 2. Van Citadel is estimated to be around 3,000-4,000 years old, having been built by the Urartian Empire. Its official name is Tuşpa Castle or Tushpa Castle, which is a version of the ancient name “Tu-sa-pa” which is an Assyrian-based word meaning “Capital”. 3. In the reign of the Urartu, Van Citadel was the most important stronghold of the Empire and commanding the whole kingdom of the Urartians. 4. During the reign of the Urarts, the area was a cultural and educational center where the Sargonid dynasty developed a writing system in cuneiform using clay tablets. 5. During the Ottoman Empire Van Citadel was a strategic point for controlling the rebels and armies from the East. 6. In 1995, Van Citadel was designated as a “Registered Monument”, a cultural landmark of Turkey. It is now popular with tourists attracted by its historical significance and commanding views over Lake Van and the city of Van. 7. Visitors can explore the ruins and climb up to the citadel to view the stately walls, citadel and towers. The ruins include remainders of the Urartian warehouses, storehouses, stables, temples and an ancient cemetery. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era