Ayanis Fortress
Ayanis Kalesi
A late Urartian fortress on the northeastern shore of Lake Van, where finds include decorated temple walls and cuneiform inscriptions.
Ayanis Fortress was built by King Rusa II of Urartu in the 7th century BCE. It sits on a small hill on the shore of Lake Van and is the site of one of the best-preserved Urartian temples. Excavations here have yielded temple walls with decorative inlays and long cuneiform inscriptions, some of which are displayed at the Van Museum. Excavations are still ongoing, so visitors are few, and the views over the lake are wide open. The site is about 35 km from Van and is reached by private car or hired vehicle.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Van Cat House
- Çarpanak Island (Ktuts Monastery)
- Van Fortress
- Van Museum
- Old City of Van
- Van Breakfast Street
- Varagavank (Yedi Kilise)
- Lake Erçek