Country |
Province State |
Region |
City Town |
District |
Site OR Event |
Click to View |
Description |
Year Taken |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05140.jpg) |
The lake is 1640m above sea level and is surrounded by dry mountains. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64192.jpg) |
Van is a dusty city in Eastern Turkey on the shores of Lake Van. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64193.jpg) |
The city is mainly populated by Kurds. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64194.jpg) |
The area has been inhabited for 5000 years and was an Urartu capital in the 9th century BCE. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64195.jpg) |
Van is dominated by its fort set on a hill. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05134.jpg) |
Van Fort was built in 855 BCE by the Urartu. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05135.jpg) |
The fort is 1.5km long and 80m high. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64196.jpg) |
The spectacular walls. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64197.jpg) |
Kurdish child at the fort. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64198.jpg) |
The fort has many Seljuk tombs at its base. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64199.jpg) |
Family visiting a Seljiuk tomb. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64200.jpg) |
View of the city from the fort walls. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05136.jpg) |
Van Fort overlooking blue Lake Van. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64201.jpg) |
Seljuk tombs beneath the walls. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64202.jpg) |
The Urartu were followed by the Phrygians, Medeans, Persians, Alexander the Great, Partians, Arabs (7th century), Seljuks (1071) and Ottomans (1548). |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64203.jpg) |
Walking along the walls. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64204.jpg) |
Mongol style minaret. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64205.jpg) |
A man and two boys on the walls. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64206.jpg) |
Roman structure. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64207.jpg) |
The upper level of the fort. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64208.jpg) |
Stone steps. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64209.jpg) |
The plain of the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64210.jpg) |
Oasis and lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05137.jpg) |
The unexcavated city of Tushpa which dates from the 9th century BCE viewed from the fort. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64211.jpg) |
The ruins are very extensive. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
Van Fort |
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64212.jpg) |
Kaleici Mosque (left), the ruins of Ulu Mosque (1390) and Kayachelebi Mosque (1592) on the right. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64213.jpg) |
The unexcavated city of Tushpa. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64214.jpg) |
Three children among at the site. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05138.jpg) |
The city of Tushpa is overlooked by Van Fort. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64215.jpg) |
Kayachelebi Mosque (1592). |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64216.jpg) |
Seljuk tombs. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64217.jpg) |
Byzantine church. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64218.jpg) |
Kaleici Mosque. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64219.jpg) |
Structure by the cliff. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Van |
|
Tushpa |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64220.jpg) |
The vast expanse of the ancient city. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05145.jpg) |
Lake Van is 3764 square km in area. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64221.jpg) |
Arid landscape around the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64222.jpg) |
The lake is maintained by evaporation which gives it a high salt content. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64223.jpg) |
Small farming settlement by the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05144.jpg) |
A ferry to Akdamar Osland. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64224.jpg) |
Akdamar is a 1km long island 3km from the shore of the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64225.jpg) |
The uninhabited island is home to a single church. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel00029.jpg) |
The island is famous for its 10th century Armenian church. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64226.jpg) |
The exterior of the church is covered with carvings. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05141.jpg) |
Detail of wall carving. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64227.jpg) |
The Armenian insciption dates from 921. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64228.jpg) |
The carvings on the church were vandalised after the First World War and restored in 2006. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64229.jpg) |
The octagonal dome is typical of Armenian churches. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05142.jpg) |
Intricate carving. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64230.jpg) |
The entrance portal. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
Armenian Church |
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64231.jpg) |
The interior frescos. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64232.jpg) |
View of the island and the church. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05143.jpg) |
Lake Van from the island. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Akdamar Island |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64233.jpg) |
The island is very arid. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05146.jpg) |
The intensly blue lake is set among hills and mountains. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64234.jpg) |
The lake is still. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64235.jpg) |
Misty view. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64236.jpg) |
Arid landscape by the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64237.jpg) |
Nomadic tents. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64238.jpg) |
The lake near Ahlat. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64239.jpg) |
Ahlat is a Kurdish town by the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64240.jpg) |
Street scene. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64241.jpg) |
The houses are made from volcanic stone. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05147.jpg) |
Ahlat is dotted with Seljuk tombs. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64242.jpg) |
Seljuk tomb with decorated portal and inscription. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64243.jpg) |
Ahlat is very rural. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05148.jpg) |
Family in the village. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64244.jpg) |
Walled mosque. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64245.jpg) |
Houses made from volcanic blocks. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05149.jpg) |
Builders at work. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64246.jpg) |
Farm houses. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64247.jpg) |
Four boys and a donkey. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64248.jpg) |
The distinctive houses are made from volcanic rock. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64249.jpg) |
Houses with ladder. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05150.jpg) |
Man with his children. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64250.jpg) |
Shepherd. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64251.jpg) |
Collecting water. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64252.jpg) |
The village is very rural. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Ahlat |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64253.jpg) |
A group of children. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64254.jpg) |
Spectacular scenery. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64255.jpg) |
Dramatic lakeside scenery. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64256.jpg) |
Small villages dot the lakeside. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64257.jpg) |
Geese. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64258.jpg) |
A group of farmers. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64259.jpg) |
Nomadic tent. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64260.jpg) |
Trees by the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64261.jpg) |
Crops. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05151.jpg) |
Shepherds. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64262.jpg) |
Dramatic scenery by the lake. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64263.jpg) |
Lakeside road. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
|
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64264.jpg) |
The lake near Bitlis. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05152.jpg) |
Bitlis is a town on Lake Van set in a narrow gorge. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64265.jpg) |
The small town is an oasis. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64266.jpg) |
Bitlis is at 1545m. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64267.jpg) |
The town is set in a narrow gorge. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel05153.jpg) |
Houses along the narrow river gorge in the town. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64268.jpg) |
The region was once part of an Armenian kingdom and later a Kurdish emirate. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64269.jpg) |
Ottoman bridge. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64270.jpg) |
One of many minarets in town. |
1986 |
Turkey |
|
Lake Van |
Bitlis |
|
|
![](images/travel/thumbs/t_travel64271.jpg) |
View across the oasis. |
1986 |