Van, Turkey

Excavations and researches, which are made around Van Province, show that first settlements here date back B.C. 4000 years. It is seen that region, containing around Lake Van, are ruled respectively by Hurrians by beginning from B.C. 2000, Hittites in B.C. 1500, Assyrians in B.C. 1200. Urartians dominate Van and its surrounding between B.C. 860-580. The capital city is Tushpa. Tushpa is the current Van Castle. King I. Sardur (B.C. 840-830) transforms Urartians into a state and establishes Tushpa city and he causes others write the epigraph, explaining how he establishes the state, into the wall of bastion in the northern side of the castle. After Urartians, establishing a powerful state and dominating the region for about 300 years, go out of existence in B.C. 585, region is ruled respectively by Medians, Persians, Alexander the Great, Seleucians and finally Romans in B.C. 66. While this region witnesses Sasanian, Arabian, Byzantine and Armenian conflicts after Romans, region is ruled by Seljuks in 1064. Region, entering under Anatolian Seljuks rule in 1232, is exposed to Mongol invasion in 1243. Later on, region enters under rule of İlhanlılar, Karakoyunlular, Timur Empire, Akkoyunlular and finally Ottomans (1548) in 15th Century. Van Castle, which is surrounded with walls, is constructed in Urartian period and castle, which is destroyed from time to time and repaired repeatedly in the subsequent periods, is also used and undergoes repair for many times in Ottoman period. Structures such as mosque, madrasah, military headquarters and stores, belong to Ottoman period are located in the castle. Van ancient city is situated in the castle foot. Ulu Mosque, belonging to 14th Century, Kaya Çelebi Mosque, constructed in 1567 and remains of some old structures are located here. Ancient van, which is destroyed substantially during The First World War (1914-1918), is abondoned and current Van city is settled in the region, called “Bağlar”. There is a rich museum, which is required to be visited and in which especially archaeological works, local ethnographic works of Urartian period are exhibited, in Van. Furthermore, there are many Urartian Castle and settlement places in Van region.