Van / Turkey

It is located on the shores of Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey situated in east Anatolia. The name of the city in the Scythian/Messaget language is Turapsa meaning "the marshy Fortress of God the Bull". During the Urartu period the name of the city became Tuspa and the vicinity of Lake Van came to be called Biaina and during the Hayasi period the name of the city changed into vaspuragan. The first settlement in the area is sited on the Citadel of Van built upon calcareous rock perch, at an altitude of 80 m, on the eastern shore of Lake Van, and on the Tumulus of Tilki Tepe. Various fort cities were establihed by the branches of Kas and Messaget of the Etruscans who immigrated via caucasia into the eastern and northern Anatoliacirca 3000 B.c. and these principalities later expanded down to the north of the Mesopotamia. Following the Messagets the area was dominated by Hurrians. The main urbanization began during the Urartu era in the 9th century B.C. The Urartu Kingdom reached its widest boundaries at the time of Sarduras III. Later, it fell under the hegemonies of Persians, Macedonians, Iranians, Sassanids, Khazar Turks, Arabs, Byzantines and hayases. The area which fell to Turks in 1071 was annexed to the Ottoman lands in 1534. The most remarkable work visible in the area today is the Acropolis Castle on the shore of Lake Van with an inner fortress surrounded by ramparts measuring 1800 m long by 120 m wide. Inside of this Castle which was restored during various perious visible are the remains of barracks, mosque, medrese, turbe and water cistern. On the Toprakkale, or the earthen Castle, and Cavus Hill Located to the east of the settlement and in the Urartu ancient city Anzaf are the remains of a palace, temple Samran Canal dating to the prehistoric ara where artifacts for daily use belonging to these periods wre uncovered. The Urartu inscriptions in the area of Yedi Kilise, or the Seven Churches, to the southeast of Van inform about the victories of kings during wars and religious rituals. castle of Hosap near the settlement Guzel Su in the east, the Urartu remains in the settlement Kalecik, the remains of the Church of Partolemeos near Baskale, Castle of Ked in Adilcevaz, Urartu Fortresses of Korzut and Kandahar in Muradiye, Castles of Satmanis and Tasrumi in Ozalp and of Vestan in Gevas are the other works dating from the Urartu era. Further, among the Seljuk work are Elman Inn in Tatvan, Emir Ali Kumbet and Bridge of Hosap in Ercis. South of Lake Van, 200 m inland in the settlement Gevas, is the Castle of Hiset dominating the plain and, further, Halime Hatun Turbe with pyramid spire-roof and 12 corners, built in the name of Halime Hatun, of the Karakoyunlu Turkomans. On the Urartu Fortress on a small islet, 1750 m offshore, apparently surrounded by ramparts during the Urartu period are the remains of the Church of Akdamar presumed to have been built during the 10th century. The structure is seen within a basilica complex. In the center of the stucture is a somewhat high spire roof and, around it, are walls made of stone encircled by small spire roofs. The church is famed for the depictions of the Christian saints as well as the dolphins and the various floral motifs carved in relief. Apparently the area was appointed the seat of diocese during the Byzamtine era and the priests who served there were buried on the island. Todat Van is wellknown for its recreational and accommodation facilities on the banks of the lake, beaches, exquisite cuisine, handicrafts such as rug and carpets, and also the Van cat with two different colours of eye and long white fur.

©2005-2006 Turkey-net.com