Van Essentials

Van's landscape is defined by its position on Turkey's largest lake and its history as the center of the ancient Urartian Empire. This collection features 8th-century BC fortresses like Çavuştepe and Ayanıs alongside the 17th-century Hoşap Castle. Religious heritage is represented by medieval Armenian sites, including the 10th-century Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island and the remote Ktuts Monastery. Natural landmarks include the 20-meter-high Muradiye Waterfall and the narrow Ottoman-era Devil’s Bridge.

Van Essentials — Map

Attaleiv / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Hoşap Castle

Hoşap Castle is a large 17th-century castle located in the village of Hoşab, Gürpınar District, Van, Turkey.

Lostinafrica / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Akdamar Island

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island, in Lake Van in eastern Turkey, is a medieval Armenian Apostolic cathedral, built as a…

EvgenyGenkin / CC BY 2.5

C

Toprakkale

Rusahinili", modern Toprakkale, is an ancient Urartian fortress built by Rusa I, located near the modern city of Van in eastern Turkey.

Juliano Zasso (1833-1889) / Public domain

D

Haykaberd

An 8th-century BC Urartian fortress built by King Sarduri II. The archaeological site includes upper and lower citadels, a temple dedicated to the god Khaldi, and well-preserved cuneiform inscriptions.

Seksen iki yüz kırk beş / Public domain

E

Muradiye Waterfall

Rumbling, 20 meters high waterfalls offer quite a scenery and number of scenic walks through the surrounding groves.

Serouj / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Karmravank

Karmravank is an abandoned 10th century Armenian monastery in the Vaspurakan province of historic Armenia.

SUZANNE KHARDALIAN HOLMQUIST / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Ktuts Monastery

Ktuts monastery is an abandoned 15th century Armenian monastery on the small island of Ktuts in Lake Van, Vaspurakan.

H

Ayanıs Kalesi

A 7th-century BC Urartian fortress overlooking Lake Van, built by King Rusa II. It is notable for its temple dedicated to the god Haldi, which features elaborate stone carvings and decorative basalt masonry.

I

Saint Bartholomew Monastery

Saint Bartholomew Monastery was a medieval Armenian monastery in the historic province of Vaspurakan, 23 km north-east from the town of…

J

Şeytan Köprüsü

A narrow 19th-century Ottoman bridge spanning a deep gorge of the Bend-i Mahi River. The stone structure is characterized by its steep arch and proximity to the Muradiye Waterfall.