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8 places to visit in the Kağızman district of Kars: Aras River Valley, Keçivan Castle and Narin Castle. Plan your trip to Kağızman with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Kağızman is a district of Kars province. It lies on the bed of the Aras River, with fertile soil and a mild climate suitable for agriculture. It is 72 km from Kars, 100 km from Iğdır and 150 km from Erzurum.

History

Near the settlement site there are graves with characteristics of the Early Iron Age, and pottery from the region shows that the settlement existed in these periods. From the 9th century BC to the 6th century BC, the region was under the rule of the Urartian Kingdom, after which it came under Persian, Arsacid, Roman, Parthian and Sasanian rule. Kağızman entered Seljuk dynasty rule in 1064 together with Kars, and later passed to the Saltukids and the Kipchaks. The region was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1534.

Economy

The people’s livelihood is livestock farming and horticulture, and beekeeping is also an important source of income. Kağızman honeys, produced by pure Caucasian bees and from the Tüteye flower that grows only in Kağızman, are known around the world. Apricots, kaşar, çeçil and deri cheeses are also important products in the economy.

History and Culture

Kağızman Creek was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1534 and attached to Kars Eyalet in 1579. The castle built by Suleiman the Magnificent, and the Süleyman Han Mosque beside it, were destroyed in the Ağrı Earthquake that began on 30 May 1664. The settlement where Keçivan Castle stands was named Tunçkaya village after 1960.

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Places to Visit in Kağızman

  • 4 Historic
  • 2 Ancient City
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Nature

Historic Sites 4

Historic

Keçivan Castle

A historic castle structure in Tunçkaya village.

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Historic

Narin Castle

A historic castle structure at Paslı Pass, also known as Köroğlu Castle.

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Historic

Kağızman Castle

A castle in Çarşı Neighbourhood which, according to the Kağızman District Governorship website, was built of stone by the Ottomans. According to the website, the castle was built in 1579 together with the repair of Keçivan Castle; the Kanuni period is also cited for its construction date.

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Historic

Ağcakale

A castle in Ağcakale village, north of Kağızman, which is mentioned in the Dede Korkut Oghuz tales as one of the twin capitals of the Oghuz.

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Ancient Cities 2

Ancient City

Rock Art at Camuşlu Yazılıkaya

Rock art on a basalt rock on the eastern slope of Aladağ, 50 km from Kars and 5 km from Camuşlu village, which is attached to Kağızman. According to information on the Culture Portal page, the large panel is 4 metres above ground and 14 metres long.

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Ancient City

Kurbanağa Cave

A cave near Camuşlu village. According to the Culture Portal, stone tools, hearths and feast-type hand axes from the Lower Palaeolithic period have been found at Tombul Tepe and Kurbanağa caves.

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Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Çengilli Orthodox Church

An Orthodox church in Çengilli village.

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Natural Wonders 1

Nature

Aras River Valley

The natural geographical feature that creates the fertile, mild climate zone where the district is located.

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Places to Visit Around Kars Province

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While you are in Kağızman, you can also see the highlights of Kars province. These places are in other districts.

  • Ani Ruins — A medieval city on the banks of the Arpaçay, 45 km east of Kars, the capital of the Bagratid kings from 961 to 1045; with its cathedral known for the "thousand and one churches", the churches of Tigran Honents and St Prkiç, its walls and the Lion Gate, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016.
  • Ebu'l Menüçehr Mosque (Ani) — A building at Ani that is thought to have been commissioned by the Shaddadid ruler Ebu'l Menüçehr after the conquest of 1064 and is regarded as the first Turkish mosque in Anatolia; its octagonal minaret looks out over the Arpaçay valley.
  • Kars Castle — According to its inscription, a castle built in 1152 on the order of the Saltukid Sultan Melik İzzeddin, destroyed by Timur in 1386 and rebuilt by Lala Mustafa Paşa in 1579; it offers the widest view of the city and the plain.
  • Church of the Apostles (Kümbet Mosque) — A church built in the 10th century under the Bagratid King Abbas I, with reliefs of the twelve apostles on its drum; it was converted into a mosque after 1064, used as a church again in the Russian period, and today serves as the Kümbet Mosque.
  • Fethiye Mosque — A building of dark and light tuff, built in the late 19th century in the Russian period as the Alexander Nevsky Church; it was converted into a mosque after the War of Independence.
  • Kars Museum — A museum founded in 1959 and moved to its present building in 1981; it displays finds from Ani, Urartian and Bronze Age works, an ethnography collection and Kars carpets.

Practical Information for Visiting Kağızman

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Summer months
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Kağızman

Food guide →

  • Kağızman Köftesi

    Kağızman köftesi, kneaded with finely minced onion and spices and grilled, is the district's best-known dish.

  • Kars Kaşarı (Kars kaşar cheese)

    Kaşar cheese produced around Kağızman, one of the quality varieties of Kars kaşar.

  • Kağızman apricots

    An endemic product of Kağızman district. The head of the Kars Chamber of Agriculture stated that work on a geographical indication for this apricot has begun.

  • Kağızman Uzun Elması (Kağızman long apple)

    A long apple specific to Kağızman; a news report states that it received a geographical indication in 2018.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kağızman

  • Salt Mining Tradition

    Kağızman has been known for salt mining for centuries. Salt beds and caves form the foundation of the district's cultural and economic history.

Local Products

  • Kağızman Uzun Elması — Kağızman Uzun Elması was registered as a protected designation of origin on 25 December 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 307). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Kars Special Provincial Administration.
  • Kağızman Apricots — Apricots grown in the mild climate of the Aras River valley, known for their sweet aroma.
  • Kağızman Salt — Rock salt obtained from Kağızman's salt beds; for centuries it has been an important trade product of the region.

Economy

Kağızman's economy is based on livestock farming, agriculture and mining. Salt mining is a traditional sector. Apricot and grain production also take place.

How to Get to Kağızman

Kağızman is 75 km from Kars. There are bus and minibus services from Kars.

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Kağızman: Frequently Asked Questions

What to see in Kağızman?

The 8 highlights of Kağızman are Aras River Valley, Keçivan Castle, Narin Castle, Çengilli Orthodox Church, Kağızman Castle, Ağcakale, Rock Art at Camuşlu Yazılıkaya and Kurbanağa Cave.

What to eat in Kağızman?

Kağızman Köftesi, Kars Kaşarı, Kağızman apricots and Kağızman Uzun Elması are the standout dishes at Kağızman's tables.

What is Kağızman famous for?

Kağızman is known for its Kağızman Uzun Elması and its Salt Mining Tradition. It is a registered product with a protected designation of origin from TÜRKPATENT.

How to get to Kağızman?

Kağızman is 75 km from Kars. There are bus and minibus services from Kars.

How much time should I allow for Kağızman?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months.

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