Ayanis Castle Located in Ağartı Village, 35 km north of Van in the Van Lake District, Ayanis Castle stands as one of the most significant fortresses of the Urartu Kingdom, dating back to the 9th to 6th century BC. Constructed by the son of Arghishti II, the last great king of the Urartian Kingdom, Ayanis Castle is one of five fortresses built during his reign. The construction of the castle was completed between 677-673 BC, as confirmed by both an inscription and dendrochronological analyses from the site. Since 1989, Professor Altan Çilingiroğlu has led excavations at the castle, making it one of the most significant sites for understanding Urartian archaeology. Excavations, under the supervision of Dr. Mehmet Işıklı since 2013, have uncovered a remarkable array of artifacts that shed light on the culture and daily life of the Urartians. Ayanis Castle is known for its stunning ornaments, adobe walls, and intricate reliefs. The excavations have also revealed the castle's outer city, where common people lived. In addition, religious and royal storage structures have been uncovered, containing agricultural products used by the temple’s people. The castle is closely associated with the temple dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartian Kingdom. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Ayanis Castle, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will respond as soon as possible.