Hosap Castle Situated in the village of Güzelsu, about 50 km from the center of Van, Hoşap Castle is a medieval fortress built in 1643 by Sarı Süleyman Bey, the leader of the Kurdish Mahmudi tribe. The word "Hoşap" means "beautiful water" in Kurdish. Although the castle itself dates back to a later period, it was constructed close to an ancient Urartian fortress. Historian Mehmed Top states that Hoşap’s origins trace back to the Kingdom of Urartu, where it functioned as a strategic military fortress located at the junction of two vital trade routes. Over the course of history, this region was ruled by numerous powerful empires such as the Persians, the Macedonian forces, and subsequently the Seleucid, Roman, and Byzantine empires. In the 10th century, it became part of the Vaspurakan Kingdom, an autonomous Armenian realm centered around Lake Van. Located in the scenic village of Güzelsu, Hoşap Castle is an impressive fortress featuring both an outer and inner keep. The outer keep is surrounded by multiple walls, some of which remain standing today, especially along the eastern and northern sides where mud-brick fortifications are still visible. The castle is further defended by the Güzelsu Creek, flowing along its western and southern borders. Although only three of the original forty bastions have survived, the precise positions of the eastern and western gates are still unknown. Currently, the outer keep is home to numerous residences, including a former mosque known as Kale Cami. Visitors reach the inner keep by following a winding path leading up to the main entrance, which is located on a grand circular tower. The gate’s walls are remarkably four meters thick, and the entrance tower is adorned with carvings of two black basalt lions standing side by side. Below these lions, a muqarnas-style inscription commemorates the fortress’s construction during ancient Persian times. If you have any questions or would like more information about Hoşap Castle, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.