Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:50 AM Sayfa
A view from the Upper Castle of the ruins of Çavufltepe.
Rock niches peculiar to the Urartians survived to the present time. Meher
Kap› Monument, which is 7 km. to the north east of Van and 600 m. to the
west of the second capital Toprakkale, was built by King Ishpuini and his
son Menua for the chief god Haldi. Hazinepiri Gate which is 13 km. to the
south of Van and the Yeflilalݍ Gate dating back to 820-810 BC which is 65
km. to the east of Van are examples of the open air cult centers. The
Castle of Toprakkale is on the ridge against Mount Erek, whereas the
Castle of Kef is situated near Adilcevaz connected to Bitlis. King Rusa II
commissioned the K›rcagöl dam lake, which is 2 km. to the north east of
the Castle of Kef, to be built to meet the water needs of this place.
The Castle of Ayanis by Lake Van which 38 km. from Van, is another
Urartian castle. This was established in 673 BC by Rusa, the son of king Argishti,
and therefore was named Rusahili. On the highest most point of
this castle is the temple. At a distance of 11 km. from the capital Tushpa,
are the Lower and Upper Anzaf Castles founded by Menua, the son of
Ishpuini. King Menua increased the fertility of the land by commissioning
the Upper Anzaf Dam to be built 1 km. to the east of the castle.
This dam can still function today with the help of some repairs. This
region is one of the most important religious centers of the Urartians.
Furthermore, Erzincan’s Alt›ntepe as well as the Castle of Yoncatepe,
which is 9 km from Van, are examples of other Urartian settlements.
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