Area: 19.069 km² , Population: 877.524
GENERAL INFORMATION
Van and its environment had been a popular center of population because of its geographical structure, and a number of civilizations had lived here. Van used to be the capital city of Urania State. It had been controlled by Hurrines, Hittites, Persians, Meds, Seljuks and Ottomans till today.
Lake Van is the most important tourism center of the Eastern Anatolia with the Akdamar Church, the castles in the region, with its cat, and with its geography that provides many tourism activities.
HOW TO GET
Highway: In Van, there exists the highway that connects Iran to Turkey.
The Inter - City Bus Station is 4 km away from the city center. It can be reached there by minibus.
Railway: The Railway Station is 5 km away from the city center. It can be reached there by minibus.
Airport: The airport is 7 km away from the city center. It can be reached to the airport by minibus or by service busses of Turkish Airlines.
Van Lake Transportation: Parallel to the Railway, the railway connection between Tatvan and Van is provided by ferry boats over Van Lake. Regular ferry boat voyages are available. The voyage between Van and Tatvan takes about 4 hours. Tourist Vocations to the islands on the Van Lake are available.
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
- Visiting the Van Castle, Van Museum, Hoşap Castle, Muradiye Waterfalls, Edremit and Gevaş shores and the Van Lake,
- Seeing the work famous Van cats having one eye yellow and one eye blue,
- Purchasing the world famous Van carpets and handcrafts
- Tasting the Van foods.
VAN LAKE AND AKDAMAR ISLAND
The city takes its name from the Van Lake. It is the biggest sodium carbonate Lake in the world. The Lake is covered with high mountains. There are four islands in the lake; named, Akdamar, Adır, Çarpanak, and Kuş Islands. It had been given many names to the Lake in the history, like Little Sea, High Sea, and Nairi sea. The water of the Van Lake is very salty and full of sodium carbonate. It foams without using any soap. One can wash his/her clothes in the Lake without using and detergents. The color of the Van Lake changes at any time of the date and at any time of the year. The unspoiled and green shores effects the visitors.
Akdamar Island is the greatest island in the lake. The church founded by King Gagic is an unique example of stone handcraft. It can be reached to island by taking the boats from Gevaş Wharf.
VAN CASTLE
Van Castle is within the borders of Van city. It is 5 km away from the city center. It is one of the most magnificent castles of Urinian civilization. It had been founded by the son of Lutupri, Sarduri the 1st in the 9th century. On the walls of the castle, there exists the oldest Urinian hieroglyphics. The rock tombs, and the Horhor inscriptions are the other important characteristics of the castle.
The old houses, thermal baths, mosques and vaults in the old city center makes you take a trip in the history.
Hoşap Castle Hoşap Castle takes place within the borders of Hoşap District, and it is 60 km away from Van city center. The castle had been constructed on a sloppy rock. There are watch towers, towers, mosques, and many other authentic values in the castle. There also exists the oldest Ottoman Bridge of the region at the south of the castle.
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