The city of Van got its name from the nearby Van Lake, which is the largest closed basin in Anatolia.. Van is a very colorful settlement with its fertile lands, its proximity to the Iranian border, its history dating back to 5000 BC and its many rivers.. Among the mistakes people often make is not doing enough research about a city before going to it.. Without having enough information, “wherever the road takes us” style trips cause you to miss historical places and natural beauties.. For this reason, you should carefully read our article about Places to visit in Van and create your route before you reach the city..
First of all, I would like to give you some information about the city of Van.. The city is one of the largest provinces of Turkey with a surface area of 19,062 m2 and a population of 1 million 139 thousand 979.. The most important source about where the name came from is Evliya Çelebi’s travel book.. As it is known, there is a Van castle in the city.. In the travel book, it is said that Alexander the Great gave the city this name because of a temple named Vank in this castle.
Places to Visit in Van
When you reach the city, you can take a plane ride. If you have traveled, a very pleasant surprise awaits you.. Since Van airport is right next to the lake, as soon as the plane lands, it creates a feeling that you are diving into the lake, and an image that will please you in your first step.. For this reason, we recommend that you come to the city by plane if possible.. Let’s start by giving information about the places you must visit in this unique settlement, which has a rich culture with its islands, lakes and historical structures, which are Places to visit in Van.
1. Lake Van
The lake, located between Van and Bitlis city and within the borders of Tatvan district, shows the feature of being a volcanic barrier lake.. The most heard legend about this unique natural beauty, which has the reputation of being the largest lake in Turkey, is the Lake Van monster.. In the city, which is famous for its breakfasts, we strongly recommend that you have a Van breakfast at the restaurants near the lake and eat bird-headed eggs.
The city has become famous not only in Turkey but also in the world, with its lake and cats.. Due to its proximity to the Iranian border, the lake, which is frequently visited by tourists, has managed to provide income to the people of the region due to fishing and tourism.. It’s really not nice to go to Van without seeing Lake Van, right?
2. Van Castle
The castle, which is approximately 100 meters high from the ground, can be reached after a very difficult journey because it was built on the rocks.. However, when you go up, you will realize that a visual feast awaits you with the lake view on one side and the view of the city on the other.
Van Castle It has been added to the UNESCO World Temporary Heritage List and attracted attention and recognition all over the world. started to see. King of Urartu in 800 B.C.. Sardur had it built and served them for 250 years.. It has a very majestic appearance with a length of 1800 meters and a width varying between 20-120 meters.. We definitely recommend you to visit the city of Van so that you do not say that you did not see the castle, you did not go out.
3. Akdamar Island and Akdamar Church
Akdamar Island Two of the largest in Lake Van. In addition to being an island, it is one of the places that should be visited with the Akdamar Church.. Church of Vaspurakan Dynasty 1. Gakik had it built by the Architect Monk Manuel, one of the important artists of the period, in the 900s AD.. Church, 7. It was built in order to protect a part of the genuine cross, which is thought to have come to Anatolia in the 16th century.
You can witness that Akdamar island is also addressed with the names Ahtamar and Ağtamar in the region.. The journey to the island, which is located within the borders of Gevaş district of Van, can be done slowly and peacefully with the boats used by the people of the region.. The Christians, on the other hand, named the church “Holy Cross Church” and almost confirmed what we wrote above.
For more information, see also ⇒ Akdamar Church
4. Fairy Chimneys
There are not only fairy chimneys in Nevşehir in Turkey, but also traces of them in various cities and towns.. Some of these are the fairy chimneys called Vanadokya, which we encounter in the Başkale district of Van.. As you know, this type of chimney is formed as a result of the erosion of the rocks sprayed as a result of the volcanic eruption over time.. There are over 17 thousand fairy chimneys in Van, and there are also many tunnels, caves and natural stones in the region..
5. Muradiye Waterfall
The Muradiye Waterfall, named after the town of Muradiye to which it is affiliated, is located within the borders of Karahan village.. The waterfall, which improves the region in terms of tourism, especially in summer, is also a wonderful water source where people who are overwhelmed by the heat cool off. According to a rumor, his name is 4. The waterfall, which was bought by Murat himself, has an average depth of 50 meters.
If you think that you will see only one lake when you go to the region, you are very wrong.. Because the waterfall is located in the green and has a very unique appearance, almost like a garden from heaven.. It would be really sad not to visit this place while you are in Van, and if you are in summer, it is one of the places you should definitely go and see.
For more information, see also ⇒ Muradiye Waterfall
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6. Devil’s Bridge
While you went there because of its proximity to Muradiye waterfall, you can’t miss the Devil’s Bridge.. As soon as you see why they gave this name to this bridge built on the Bend-i Mahi stream, you can immediately understand.. According to rumors, the wedding team, who went to take the girl on the wedding day, took the girl and lost their lives by falling from this bridge, which is 17 meters high and 3 meters wide.. After that day, this narrow and steep bridge was named “Devil’s Bridge”.
7. Seven Churches
Places to visit in Van are 7 of our list.. As can be understood from the name of the Seven Churches in the order, it consists of the union of this number of churches.. Not all were built in the same time period, and the oldest were built in the eighth century and the newest in the eleventh century.. Among them, the Church of the Virgin Mary stands out as the church that is known by everyone and its reputation spreads the most.. Unfortunately, the interior spaces of the church, whose dome was damaged during the Van earthquake in 2011, managed to survive until today.