Ayanis Castle Situated in Ağartı Village, 35 km north of Van in the Van Lake District, Ayanis Castle remains one of the most important strongholds of the Urartu Kingdom, with origins dating back to the 9th through 6th centuries BC. Built by the son of Arghishti II, the final great ruler of the Urartian Kingdom, Ayanis Castle is one of five fortresses constructed during his reign. The construction of the castle was finalized between 677-673 BC, as verified by an inscription and dendrochronological analysis conducted at the site. Since 1989, Professor Altan Çilingiroğlu has been in charge of excavations at the castle, making it one of the most crucial locations for studying Urartian archaeology. Under the leadership of Dr. Mehmet Işıklı since 2013, the excavations have uncovered a fascinating collection of artifacts that provide valuable insights into the culture and everyday life of the Urartians. Ayanis Castle is renowned for its exquisite decorations, mudbrick walls, and detailed relief sculptures. The excavations have also uncovered the surrounding city, where the common population resided. Additionally, storage facilities used for religious and royal purposes have been found, containing agricultural goods that were utilized by the temple's inhabitants. The castle is strongly linked to the temple dedicated to Haldi, the supreme deity of the Urartian Kingdom. If you have any questions or would like more information about Ayanis Castle, feel free to email us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp. We’ll be happy to assist you and will respond as soon as possible.