Kayalıdere Castle Explained

Kayalıdere Castle
Location:	Kayalıdere, Varto, Muş, Turkey
Built:	764-735 BC
Open To Public:	Yes

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.^[1]

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.^{[2] [3]}

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.^[4] 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 items belonging to the Urartians were found.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yerleşme Biçimleri. 2023-11-27 . urartular.com.tr. tr.
2. Web site: 3 bin yıllık kaya mezarlarında yaşamlarını sürdüren yarasalar koruma altına alındı. 2024-04-26. iha.com.tr. tr.
3. Web site: Kayalıdere Kalesi 2018-2019 Yılı Kurtarma Kazıları; İlk Notlar. December 30, 2020. Aras Türkiye eski yakın doğu araştırmaları dergisi, Iğdır Üniversitesi. Turkish . 6.
4. https://mus.ktb.gov.tr/TR-56140/oren-yerleri.html Varto Kayalıdere Ören Yeri
5. Web site: September 30, 2022. Kayalıdere Kalesi Urartu Çanak Çömleği: 2018/2019 Yılı Kazıları. Van Yüzüncü Yıl University the journal of Social Sciences Institute . Turkish.