Kars Castle Situated in the city center, Kars Castle was erected in 1153 A.D., reportedly commissioned by Saltuk Sultan Malik Izzeddin and constructed by his vizier, Firuz Akay. This stone fortress provides a panoramic and strategic view over the entire city. In 1356, Kars Castle was demolished by the forces of Timur, but was later restored in 1579 by Lala Mustafa Pasha, a prominent Ottoman commander. Throughout its history, the castle has endured several fires and subsequent reconstructions. The castle's military importance declined in the early 19th century as newer forts assumed the city's defense duties. It was captured and heavily damaged during and following the Russian invasion of 1878. Built using basalt stones, the fortress originally featured 22 towers, of which only 7 remain intact today. While there were initially 4 gates, just 2 are still operational. Within the castle grounds, visitors can explore the tomb of Jelal Baba, the remnants of Janissary barracks, an ammunition storage, and a mosque that was reconstructed in the 1990s. If you have any questions or inquiries about Kars Castle, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.