History and archaeology / Castle
Tatvan Castle
Tatvan, Bitlis
A castle on the rocky hill on Tatvan's old Ahlat road, recorded as built by Zal Paşa in the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent, surviving as a ruin.
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Its story
Evliya Çelebi records that Zal Paşa had a small castle built in Tatvan in the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. The castle is located in the Tuğ neighborhood, beside natural rocks along the old Ahlat road; its first construction is claimed to date to 1550–1560. When the armies of Shah Tahmasp invaded Ahlat and Adilcevaz, they destroyed the castle to prevent aid being sent by ship from Tatvan to Van; the building was not repaired afterwards and remained in ruins. The view has also been expressed that its foundations rest on older, Urartian-period building remains, but this is not confirmed. The remains are not large; they are suitable for viewing the lake and the harbor from the hill during a short stop in Tatvan.
Key facts
- Period
- 16th century (Ottoman)
- Getting there
- Tatvan, Tuğ neighborhood, old Ahlat road
- Visit duration
- 20–30 minutes
Trip purpose
- Photography
Location
38.51575, 42.29857
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatvan_Kalesi | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatvan | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9672360255