Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The site is fairly spread out, something to bear in mind when it's scorching hot. At the
northwestern corner of the rock are the ticket office and a tea garden.
From the summit the foundations of
Eski Van
(the old city) reveal themselves on the
southern side of the rock. The flat space punctuated by the grass-covered foundations of
numerous buildings was the site of the old city, destroyed during WWI. The Ottomans
destroyed it before the Russians occupied it in 1915.
VAN MUSEUM
(Van Müzesi; Kişla Caddesi; admission
"
3; 8am-noon & 1-5pm Tue-Sun)
This compact museum
was closed at the time of writing following the 2011 earthquakes, and a potential move to
near Van Castle was also rumoured.
The museum boasts an outstanding collection of Urartian exhibits, including exquisite
gold jewellery, and an array of bronze belts, helmets, horse armour and terracotta figures.
| Museum
Tours
ALKAN TOURS
( 0530 349 2793, 215 2092;
www.easternturkeytour.org
; Ordu Caddesi)
Guided day trips (per per-
son €20) take in Akdamar Island, the spectacular 17th-century Kurdish castle at Hoşap
and the Urartian site at Çavuştepe. More in-depth tours exploring the region's Armenian
heritage are available, as well as excursions to Kars, Doğubayazıt and elsewhere.
| Travel Agency
Sleeping
ELITE WORLD HOTEL €€€
(
| Hotel
0212-444 0883;
www.eliteworldhotels.com.tr
; Kazım Karabekir Caddesi 54; s/d €85/95;
)
Opened in 2012, Elite World has business traveller-friendly features including a bar,
nonsmoking rooms, spa and sauna. Posted rates are high; search online for discounts.
BÜYÜK ASUR OTELI €€
liable midrange venture has colourful rooms complete with fresh linen, TV and well-
scrubbed bathrooms. English is spoken and the hotel can organise local tours including
Akdamar Island and Hoşap Castle.
| Hotel
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