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VAN

The Urartian civilization flourished in eastern Anatolia for some three centuries (900 - 600 BCE). Taking advantage of weakness in its better known rival Assyria in the late 9th century BCE, the Urartians gradually enlarged their empire. At its height, in the early 8th century BCE, it spread from beyond the Caucasus to the northern Syrian plains and even to the Mediterranean. But constant struggles between the two rivals weakened them both leading to their decline and disappearance of both civilizations.

The Urartians gave their name to Mt. Ararat. For over a century the area around Lake Van flourished with towns and fortresses, aqueducts and irrigation canals.

The heart of the Urartian Empire was the citadel of Van (Van Kalesi) has obvious strong natural defense characteristics, it rises out of a very flat lakeside plain, and therefore offers excellent views in all directions.  It became the capital of the Urartian Empire in the 9th century BCE. Today it is a wonderfully evocative place to visit.