Toprakkale - Meherkapi Toprakkale, an ancient settlement of the Urartian Kingdom, is located atop a rocky hill southwest of Zım Zım Mountain in the northeastern part of the Van Plain. This city holds strategic significance, positioned 7 km west of Tuspa near Zım Zım Mountain and just 600 meters east of Meher Kapi. For many years, historians debated the foundation of Toprakkale. It is now established that Rusa, the son of Erimena, established the city after honoring his father's last wishes and ascending to the throne. Ancient records also recognize Rusa as the celebrated hero of Tushpa. The Toprakkale Citadel spans 400 meters in length and 60 meters in width, featuring foundation beds for the settlement’s defensive walls. Archaeological digs have revealed a storage chamber, a temple, and rock-cut spaces. The Haldi Temple represents a classic Urartian temple with a square layout, its walls rising 4-5 meters high and measuring 5.3 meters from the exterior. Each side of the temple is 13.80 meters long. Numerous artifacts have been discovered at Toprakkale, including ivory figurines, bronze statues of lions and bulls, gold medallions, and bronze candlesticks. The Meherkapi Inscription, also known as the Meher Gate, lies about 600 meters from Toprakkale and is a significant Urartian relic. The gate’s name, Meher, meaning “illuminating,” stems from the belief that God Haldi would appear here as a beam of light. Constructed between 820-810 BC by Urartian King Ispuini and his son Menua, the Meher Gate consists of two frames measuring 2.60 meters wide and 4 meters tall. The interior door surface is inscribed with 47 lines of cuneiform writing, polished smooth like glass. To ensure its preservation, the original inscription was restored and expanded to 94 lines. Within the Urartian Kingdom, polytheism was practiced, with deities from conquered territories also honored. The Meher Gate inscription enumerates the gods of the Urartian realm in a particular sequence, detailing when and what types of animals were to be offered as sacrifices. At the top of this divine hierarchy is God Haldi. If you have any questions or require more information about Toprakkale - Meherkapi, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will reply promptly.