History and archaeology / Castle
Toprakkale (Rusahinili)
İpekyolu, Van
A castle founded by the Urartian king Rusa on the rocks of Zımzım Dağı just northeast of Van, known for its rich bronze finds.
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Its story
The castle, on the rocky ridge of Zımzım Dağı northeast of the Van Plain, is known by the Urartian name Rusahinili, meaning 'the city of Rusa'; its founder is given differently in sources as Rusa I or Rusa II. It got its present name (Earth Castle) because it consists largely of mud-brick structures covered with earth. In excavations by Russian, British, German and Turkish archaeologists from the 1870s onward, bronze, gold, silver and ivory works were unearthed; a bronze candelabrum 136 cm high and votive shields are the best-known finds. Some of these works are today in museums in Berlin, London, St. Petersburg, Ankara and Istanbul. On the lake-facing slope of the mountain where the castle stands is the sacred site of Meher Kapısı.
Key facts
- Period
- 8th-7th century BC (Urartian)
- Getting there
- Northeast of central Van, Zımzım Dağı
- Visit duration
- 45 minutes
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
Location
38.50966, 43.40613
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toprakkale_(kale) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toprakkale_(castle) | https://van.ktb.gov.tr/TR-437560/toprakkale.html | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/185615962