VAN FORTRESS (VAN KALESI)

It is the main point of interest of the city of Van. Also called "Van's rock" or "Tushpa's citadel", it is a jewel of Urtarian architecture of 1 200 m long by 120 m wide and 80 m high. It would have been built by king Sarduri between 840 and 825 B.C. and originally included an interior and exterior fortress. From the top, the view on the city of Van (to be admired at sunset), the lake and the surrounding plains is incredible. Fascinating.