Van
Van is a city with a short name, a long history, and numerous interesting things to see, especially if you like history and natural beauty or cats. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Van, the city of Van (VAHN, pop. 400,000, alt. 1727 meters/5666 feet) has been here for a very long time.
An impressive citadel stands on one of these peaks and dates back to the 9th century BC. There are steps carved into rock leading to the fortress, and while descending you will be able to see some cuneiform inscriptions paying homage to Persian King, Xerxes of the 5th century BC. In the fortress, the Urartian royal tombs are of interest. The surrounding area is full of Urartian remains. In the old city there are many mosques and mausoleums such as the Ulu Mosque, the Husrev Pasa Mosque, the Kaya celebi Mosque and the Ikiz Kumbet. The Archaeological Museum in the new city exhibits the Urartian finds. At Van Harbor you may find pleasant places to rest. For swimming and camping you may head for Edremit, 14 kilometers to the southwest. It is a holiday resort center from where you may do some sightseeing excursions. At Gevas, there is a Seljuk graveyard, filled with extraordinary headstones, as well as the lovely Halime Hatun Tomb.
The explosion of Nemrut volcano led the formation of the largest lake in Turkey; Van and the deepest lake. You may go for outdoor sports such as trekking or hunting in the mountains surrounding it, especially Mount Suphan, the second highest mountain in Turkey after Mount Ararat. Alternatively you may head for on the beach, or visit the Urartian sites and Turkish cultural centers. The islands on the lake are also interesting, most of them housing many monasteries and churches. The most important of these is the Akdamar Island with its 10th century church of Holy Cross. The church is now restored as a museum and its richly decorated walls have Old Testament relieves. Urartus, Armenians, Kurds, Arabians, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans, Byzantines all met on this gorgeous land.
The old town of Van was burned by Ottoman forces in 1915 as they retreated before a Russian army which had invaded Ottoman territory in support of Armenian revolutionaries. The Russians held the town until 1917, when the Russian Empire itself suffered revolution and collapse.
The modern city of Van grew up 5 km (3 miles) inland from the lakeshore and the Rock of Van during the 20th century, with wide boulevards and town planning. Because it has the best hotels, restaurants, transportation and other services, Van is the best base for explorations of the region.
Van is an important stop on my Recommended Itinerary of Eastern Turkey. It’s a long way from western Turkey by bus or car, and an even longer trip by train, so if you’re coming directly you’ll want to fly. Turkish Airlines has a daily flight from Istanbul, and two from Ankara.
The old town of Van was burned by Ottoman forces in 1915 as they retreated before a Russian army which had invaded Ottoman territory in support of Armenian revolutionaries. The Russians held the town until 1917, when the Russian Empire itself suffered revolution and collapse.
The modern city of Van grew up 5 km (3 miles) inland from the lakeshore and the Rock of Van during the 20th century, with wide boulevards and town planning. Because it has the best hotels, restaurants, transportation and other services, Van is the best base for explorations of the region.
Van is an important stop on my Recommended Itinerary of Eastern Turkey. It’s a long way from western Turkey by bus or car, and an even longer trip by train, so if you’re coming directly you’ll want to fly. Turkish Airlines has a daily flight from Istanbul, and two from Ankara.
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Email: [email protected]
Phone: +358 44 230 0982
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