Kayalıdere Castle

The Kayalıdere Castle (Turkish: Kayalıdere Kalesi), is a historical castle on an rocky hill in the Varto district of Muş. This castle was one of the most important checkpoints for the kingdom of Urartu.

Kayalıdere Castle
Kayalıdere, Varto, Muş, Turkey
Coordinates39°04′18″N 41°33′38″E
Site information
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
Built764-735 BC

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.[1]

History

Kayalıdere Castle is mostly known for Urartu 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.[2] Kayalıdere castle is one of the most important centers of the Murat river route, which provides the westward crossings of the Van-based Urartu kingdom.


Excavations

During the excavations, 503 pottery belonging to the Urartians were found.[3]

References
  1. "Kayalıdere Kalesi 2018-2019 Yılı Kurtarma Kazıları; İlk Notlar" (in Turkish). Aras Türkiye eski yakın doğu araştırmaları dergisi, Iğdır Üniversitesi. December 30, 2020. p. 6.
  2. Varto Kayalıdere Ören Yeri, Ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Turkey. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  3. "Kayalıdere Kalesi Urartu Çanak Çömleği: 2018/2019 Yılı Kazıları" (PDF) (in Turkish). Van Yüzüncü Yıl University the journal of Social Sciennes Institue. September 30, 2022.
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