Historic · Tuşba, Van
Lower and Upper Anzaf Castles
An Urartian fortress of two parts, a lower and an upper castle, north-east of Van Castle.
- History
Image coming soon
The Lower and Upper Anzaf Castles stand in the Dereüstü neighbourhood of the Tuşba district, on the Van-Saray highway. The Lower Castle was built under the Urartian king İşpuini (850-810 BC) to control the route towards the Urmia region, while the Upper Castle was raised on a high rocky hill under King Menua (810-786 BC). Surrounded by walls of large limestone blocks, the castles preserve the foundations of a temple, a palace, and workshop and storage buildings; excavations have continued here since 1991.