Van Lake and Akdamar Island
Van Lake, which gives its name to Van province, is the biggest soda lake in Turkey and the world. It is surrounded by high mountains on all four sides. There are 4 islands in Akdamar, Adır, Çarpanak, and Kuş islands.
It is also called Deryaçe (Small Sea) as it is called “High Sea”, “Nairi Sea” and “Upper Sea”. The water of the lake is too salty and carbonated. It gives foam without soap and everything can be washed and cleaned without using cleaning agents. The lake, which has a different color every season, every hour, sunrise and sunset, is an important contribution to the tourism of the region. Coastal along the coast is untouched, with green vegetation wrapped around the coast is worth seeing.
Ahtamar Island, the largest of the islands in Van Lake, is famous for its church. The church built by King Gagik at the beginning of the 900’s is one of the most outstanding examples of stone workmanship. The dolmus engines from Gevaş pier are working on the Akdamar Island.
Calendars
In a sense, Van can be called “Kaleler Kenti”. There are a large number of small castles in and around Van. Some of these historic monuments are from the Urartian period, others from the Middle Ages and later.
Important Kaleler Lower and Upper Zıvistan Castle, Beyüzümü Castle, Çatak Castle, Lamurkesen (Zernek) Castle, Hishet Castle, Pizan (Örenkale) Castle, Kalecik, Zernaki Tepe Castle, Muradiye Castle, Albak (Baskale) Castle, Deliçay Castle, Çelebibağ Castle, Yoncatepe Castle, Müküs Castle and Amik Castle.
Van Castle is located within the borders of Van city center, 5 km. . The glory of the Urartian calendars.
B.C. It was built by Lutupri’s son I. Sarduri in the 9th century. The oldest known Urartian inscription, written in Assyrian nail writing, belongs to I Sarduri on the structure of the stone block which is located at the northwest end of the castle which is mostly standing and is called Sardur bursa. Another important structure of the Kalen is the Horhor Inscriptions, the longest inscription of the Urartu, which is found on the rock tomb of I. Agrişti and immediately outside the rock. In addition, in the northern slope of the castle II. There are open-air temples of Sarduri (Analı-Kız), grave rooms of Menau and Sarduri in the castle, caves, water cisterns and various rooms.
To the south of Kalenin is the remains of the old city. Ulu Mosque, Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, Kay Çelebi Mosque, Hamamlar (Double Bath) Kumbets (Twin Kümbet) and most of the ruined old houses, tourists travel between the leaves of history. Van is 60 km from the city center. (Güzelsu) on Van-Hakkari highway in Gürpınar district. The castle, built on a steep rock mass, is made up of an inner castle and an outer castle to its north. Surveillance towers, walls, bastions, body walls, masjid, oven, dungeon kiosk, harem, selamlık and original iron door wings are important structures of the castle. Also on the south side of the castle is the oldest Ottoman bridge in the Van region. The castle built on the eastern shore of Van Lake is well preserved and built up with andesite stone blocks from the city walls. It is one of the important centers of the Urartu. There is a multi-room palace, animal and plant reliefs. Van is 25 km from the city center. It is located in Çavuştepe village of Gürpınar district in the distance. The castle, which was founded on the western side of the Boly Mountain family, Down and up. Castle, II. Sarduri by BC It was built between 764-734. There are Haldi temples, open air temples, ramparts, warehouses, stables, palace buildings, water cisterns and nail writings in the monuments. It’s 35 km from Van. It is in Ayanıs village in the distance. Argisti’s son Rusa It was built between 645-643. It is very important in terms of illuminating the last stages of Urartu history. It is set up in an area near the shore of the Van Lake. It lies on a rocky hill bounded by the Zylzim Mountains in the east of the Van provincial center. Castle is the king of Urartu II. By Rusa It was built between 685-645. There are cisterns, open-air temples, rock-cut staircases. 10 km from Van. It is located near Van-Özalp highway in the north east. Lower and Upper Calendars. There are ramparts, towers, workshop, warehouse, palace structure, inscription on both sides.
Churches
It is the largest church in Van Lake located within the boundaries of the Gevaş district. The church, which was founded in the south east of Adan, is 3 km. Away. At all hours of the day, Akdamar Island is accessible by motorboats on the beach.
In the name of the Holy Cross, the monk Vaspurakan was built by I. Gagik the monk Manuel. The repertoire of the church is quite rich. Beside this, there are various scenes from the Bible and the Torah. Prophet of the Dolphin to the sea, Hz. Jesus and Jesus in his lap, Adam and Eve excluded from Paradise, Hz. The struggle between David and King Goliat is the Samson Palestinian duo, three Hebrew youths in the fire, and Daniel in the lion’s stadium. It is possible to see rich animals, vine vines and various figures. The church is located on the same named island in the Van Lake, close to the laying hamlet of the Yaylyaka village, connected to the Van center. It is located on the south side of the island. The monastery was built in 1305. Later, in 1621, St. Georges Church was added. Nearby boats on the beach and boats to be rented from Van Pier can be seen. The island where the church is located is on Van Lake, near the village of Dibekdüzü, which is connected to the Van center. The island and the church can be reached from the nearby village motor boats and Van Pier. The Erek Mountain skirts were built in the 8th century.
Mosque, Madrasa and Kumbets
The important goblets in Van are Ulu Mosque, Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, Red Mosque, Gevaş İzzetin Çir Mosque, Süleyman Han Mosque, Kaya Çelebi Mosque, Horhor Mosque and Abbasağa Mosque. Husrev Pasha Madrasah, Hosap Hasan Bey Madrasah, Hosap Evliya Bey Madrasah, Gevas Halime Hatun Kümbeti, Erciş Anonim (Zortul) Kümbet are worth seeing.
Faith Tourism
Bridge and Water Canal
Van’s Bridge Bend-i Mahi Bridge, Red Bridge, Çatak Bridge, Hurkan Bridge, Zeril Bridge, Devil Bridge.
The first irrigation canals and dams in Van BC Between the 9th and 6th centuries it was built during the time of the Urartians. The most important of these is the Menua (Semiramis / Shamran) irrigation channel. It was built by the King Urartu Menua. Menua / Shamran has given life to the places where the channeled engineering of the world is a wonder, and it continues its function as it is day-to-day.
Traditional Van Houses
Van houses are the important elements of Van’s traditional architecture. Located in the south of historical Van Fortress, it has typical characteristics of Van Houses and Ottoman cities along with old Van cities, bazaars, streets, neighborhoods, han, hamam, stone paved streets.
Occupancy Locations
Among the promenade locations in Van; 20 km from Van. With its natural beaches and greenery, Edremit with its natural beaches and green beaches, Gevaş, which is a sightseeing place with its natural beaches, is 80 km. Distance, two forests in a valley where the two birds meet, with pleasant views Çatak distance to the center of the city is 40 km. On the shores of Van Lake in the distance, Amphi is famous for its natural beaches and fruit gardens opposite Süphan Mountain.
Bird Watching Area
Erçek Lake
Van Lake
Sportive Activities
Van Region is rich in game animals, it is possible to hunt in all seasons. Among the main game animals; Partridge, duck, toy, mountain goat, rabbit, bear, and pig. Angling in the area has also developed.
Süphan Mountain