Kars Castle Located in the heart of the city, Kars Castle was constructed in 1153 A.D. and is believed to have been built by Vizier Firuz Akay under the orders of Saltuk Sultan Malik Izzeddin. The castle, made of stone, offers a commanding view of the city. In 1356, Kars Castle was destroyed by Timur's troops, but was rebuilt in 1579 by Lala Mustafa Pasha, an Ottoman general. The castle has undergone multiple burnings and reconstructions over the years. Kars Castle lost its military significance in the early 19th century as the city's defense responsibilities were taken over by newly constructed forts. During and after the Russian invasion of 1878, the castle was conquered and severely damaged. Constructed with basalt masonry, the castle originally had 22 towers, but only 7 remain standing today. While there were once 4 gates, only 2 remain functional. Inside the castle, visitors can find a tomb for Jelal Baba, the remains of Janissaries barracks, an ammunition depot, and a mosque that was rebuilt in the 1990s.