Van Castle Van Castle is an ancient fortress built by the Urartian kingdom between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. Perched on a steep bluff overlooking Tushpa—the old Urartian capital—this impressive stone fortification is one of several strongholds constructed by the Urartians in the region where modern-day Armenia, Turkey, and Iran meet. Over the centuries, control of the fortress passed through the hands of various civilizations, including the Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Seljuks, Ottomans, and even the Russians. Van Castle was constructed using a combination of materials: basalt for the lower sections and mud bricks for the higher walls. One of its most fascinating features is the rock-carved royal stable, measuring 20 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height. This chamber is believed to have been used for ritual sacrifices to Urartian gods and showcases the deep spiritual and cultural practices of the Urartians. A notable historical highlight of the fortress is an inscription from the 5th century BC by Xerxes the Great. Located on a carefully smoothed rock face about 20 meters above the ground, this inscription was initially prepared by King Darius, who left the niche blank. Later, Xerxes filled it with a trilingual inscription in Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite. Consisting of three columns and 27 lines, this inscription remains remarkably well-preserved. Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the Old City of Van and the Fortress of Van were added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2016. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Van 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.