Cavustepe Castle

Cavustepe is an ancient fortified site in the Van province, it is also known by the title of Fortress of Hayk. The build made up of two sections an Urartian Empire palace and the lower section of the fortress which includes a variety of buildings. The palace was built during the reign of King Sarduri II in 764-735 BC, the lower section was built around the 7th century and included a temple, kings tower, workshops, storehouses, cisterns, and even a harem. While the fortifications were destroyed in the 7th century, evidence of later occupation during the medieval era.

Today the buildings have a semblance of shape, allowing visitors to explore through and gain an understanding of how people would have worked, however, the view itself is fantastic and shows why the King chose this location.

Related Destinations

AKHTAMAR ISLAND BENDIMAAHI FALLS GEVAS, VAN HOSAP CASTLE CAVUSTEPE CASTLE VAN CASTLE