The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. It is situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of rocky mountains in the Eastern Anatolian region of Turkey. 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 Hüsrev Pasa Mosque, the Kaya ǥlebi Mosque and the Ikiz Kümbet. 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; Nemrut (it is not the same Nemrut mountain in Adiyaman). Urartus, Armenians, Kurds, Arabians, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans, Byzantines all met on this gorgeous land. 

Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey (1.646 meters high and covers an area of 3.713 square kilometers) and provides good opportunities for enjoyable excursions. You may go for outdoor sports such as trekking or hunting in the mountains surrounding it, especially Mount Süphan, 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. After visiting the museum you may rest at the beneath lakeside the almond trees, where there are good opportunities for picnicking and swimming. Carpanak Island is also interesting and deserves a visit. Hosab, 67 kilometers east, has a magnificent old fortress fronted by huge walls. At ǡvustepe, there is an Urartian site, which is 25 kilometers from Van on the Hakkari road. 

88 kilometers north of Van, are the Muradiye Waterfalls, perfect place to rest while listening to natures harmony at one of the restaurants or tea gardens around the falls. 

Van is also famous for its Van cat, a pure white, longhair cat which has the strange feature of one blue eye and the other green. 

Very few people know Tirsin pasture in Van. The rocky area of this 2.400 meters high pasture is an open air museum. There are thousands of pictures on thousands of rocks: Schematic pictures of Taurus, bison dating back to ages between Mesolithic times and bronze age. These pictures created by the hunters support the thesis that the area was thickly forested in prehistoric times. 

Where To Visit

LAKES

Van Lake and Akdamar Island

The city takes its name from the Van Lake. It is the biggest sodium carbonate Lake in the world. The Lake is covered with high mountains. There four islands in the lake; named, Akdamar, Adır, Çarpanak, and Kuş Islands. It had been given many names to the Lake in the history, like Little Sea, High Sea, and Nairi sea. The water of the Van Lake is very salty and full of sodium carbonate. It foams without using any soap. One can wash his/her clothes in the Lake without using and detergents. The color of the Van Lake changes at any time of the date and at any time of the year. The unspoiled and green shores effects the visitors.

Akdamar Island is the greatest island in the lake. The church founded by King Gagic is an unique example of stone handcraft. It can be reached to island by taking the boats from Gevaş Wharf.

CASTLES

Van can be called as "the city of castles". There are many castles in Van. Some of these castles had been constructed in the Middle Ages, and some had been made at the times of Uranians.

The most important castles at the region are; Down and Upper Zıvistan Castles, Beyüzümü Castle, Çatak Castle, Lamurkesen (Zernek) Castle, Hişet Castle, Pizan (Örenkale) Castle, Kalecik Castle, Zernaki Hill Castle, Muradiye Castle, Albak (Başkale) Castle, Deliçay Castle, Çelebibağ Castle, Yoncatepe Castle, Müküs Castle and Amik Castle.

Van Castle Van Castle is within the borders of Van city. It is 5 km away from the city center. It is one of the most magnificent castles of Urinian civilization. It had been founded by the son of Lutupri, Sarduri the 1st in the 9th century. On the walls of the castle, there exists the oldest Urinian hieroglyphics. The rock tombs, and the Horhor inscriptions are the other important characteristics of the castle.

The old houses, thermal baths, mosques and vaults in the old city center makes you take a trip in the history.

Hoşap Castle Hoşap Castle takes place within the borders of Hoşap District, and it is 60 km away from Van city center. The castle had been constructed on a sloppy rock. There are watch towers, towers, mosques, and many other authentic values in the castle. There also exists the oldest Ottoman Bridge of the region at the south of the castle.

Ağartı Castle The castle takes place at the east shore of Van Lake. The walls of the castle are still undamaged, and they had been constructed with andesite stones.

Kef Castle Kef Castle is one of the most important centers of the Urinian civilization. There is a palace, and animal and plant reliefs in the castle.

Çavuştepe Castle The castle is 25 km away from the city center. It takes place within the borders of Çavuştepe Village of Gürpınar District. The castle has two sections, called upper and down castles. The castle had founded by King 2nd Sarduri at BC 764 - 734. There are many temples, towers, palaces, water basins, and hieroglyphics in the castle.

Ayanıs Castle It takes place within the borders of Ayanış Village, which is 35 km away from Van city center. It had been constructed between BC 645 - 643. It enlightens the last periods of Urinian civilization. It is very close to the shore of Van Lake.

Toprakkale Castle It takes place on a rocky hill of Zimzim Mountains. It had been founded by the Urinian King Rusa the 2nd, between BC 685 - 645. There are water basins, temples, and stairs carved on the rocks, in the castle.

Aşağı-Yukarı Anzaf Castles The castles are 10 km away from Van city center. There are towers, depots, palaces, silos, and inscriptions in the castle.

CHURCHES

Akdamar Church It is the church that gives its name to the biggest island of the Van Lakewhich it is on. It is at the southeast of the island and 3 m away from the shore. It can be reached to the island by boats.

It had been founded by King Gagik for the honor of sacred cross. There are a variety of figurative representations in the church, such as the banishing of Adam and Eve from the Heaven, and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Adır Church The church takes place on the Adır Island of the Van Lake. It had been made in 1305. Saint George's Church had been added to the main complex at 1621.

Yedi Church It had been constructed to the foots of Erek Mountain in the 8th century.

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