The Kayalıdere Castle (), is a historical castle on a rocky hill in the

Varto Varto (; or , ''Varto'') is a town in Muş Province, Turkey. It is the seat of Varto District.Muş. This castle was one of the most important checkpoints for the kingdom of

Urartu Urartu was an Iron Age kingdom centered around the Armenian highlands between Lake Van, Lake Urmia, and Lake Sevan. The territory of the ancient kingdom of Urartu extended over the modern frontiers of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Armenia.Kleiss, Wo ...

. Kayalıdere Castle is located on the hill that has an island appearance after the Alparslan 2 dam. Transportation to the castle can only be done by boat.

History

Kayalıdere Castle is mostly known for

Castle and Urartu Rock Tomb in the west. The castle and rock tomb, which is estimated to have been built during the period of Sardria II (764–735 BC), is the most robust structure of the Urartian period in Muş.Varto Kayalıdere Ören Yeri
Ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Turkey. Retrieved September 20, 2023. Kayalıdere castle is one of the most important centers of the

Murat Murat may refer to: Places Australia * Murat Bay, a bay in South Australia * Murat Marine Park, a marine protected area France * Murat, Allier, a commune in the department of Allier * Murat, Cantal, a commune in the department of Cantal Elsew ...

river route, which provides the westward crossings of the Van-based Urartu kingdom.

Excavations

During the excavations, 503 pottery items belonging to the Urartians were found.

References

{{Authority control Archaeological sites in Eastern Anatolia History of Muş Province