This gleaming glass structure at the foot of Van Castle, built after Van's original museum was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, houses the world's pre-eminent collection of Urartian exhibits including exquisite gold jewellery and an array of bronze belts, helmets, horse armour and terracotta figures. Unfortunately, despite being finished and fully curated, in 2019 it remained closed to visitors, though the local rumour while we were in town was that it would be open by 2020.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
20.09 MILES
Perched on Akdamar Island, 3km out on Lake Van, Akdamar Kilisesi is one of the marvels of Armenian architecture. Built in 921 by the Armenian King of…
0.64 MILES
About 4km west of the centre, Van Castle dominates the view of the city. Visit at sunset for great views across the lake. From the summit the foundations…
12.21 MILES
The ruins of the Urartian fortress of Sarduri-Hinili, built by King Sardur II between 764 and 735 BC, sit scattered atop a rocky hill at Çavuştepe. The…
27.98 MILES
Hoşap Castle, built in 1643 by a local Kurdish chieftain, looms over the village of Güzelsu from its rocky perch. From the castle entrance you can see the…
25.26 MILES
This relatively well-preserved Armenian church is perched on a mound overlooking the lake. From Akdamar, drive 12km towards Tatvan until you reach a…
18.04 MILES
Gevaş has a cemetery full of tombstones dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. Notable is the polygonal Halime Hatun Türbesi, built in 1358 for a female…
Nearby attractions
0.64 MILES
About 4km west of the centre, Van Castle dominates the view of the city. Visit at sunset for great views across the lake. From the summit the foundations…
12.21 MILES
The ruins of the Urartian fortress of Sarduri-Hinili, built by King Sardur II between 764 and 735 BC, sit scattered atop a rocky hill at Çavuştepe. The…
18.04 MILES
Gevaş has a cemetery full of tombstones dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. Notable is the polygonal Halime Hatun Türbesi, built in 1358 for a female…
20.09 MILES
Perched on Akdamar Island, 3km out on Lake Van, Akdamar Kilisesi is one of the marvels of Armenian architecture. Built in 921 by the Armenian King of…
25.26 MILES
This relatively well-preserved Armenian church is perched on a mound overlooking the lake. From Akdamar, drive 12km towards Tatvan until you reach a…
27.98 MILES
Hoşap Castle, built in 1643 by a local Kurdish chieftain, looms over the village of Güzelsu from its rocky perch. From the castle entrance you can see the…