Başkale Castle
The castle on the hill in the district centre was built in the Ottoman period to guard the Iranian border. The castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
View on map4 places to visit in the Başkale district of Van: Başkale Castle, Hoşap Castle and Albayrak St. Bartholomeus Church. Plan your trip to Başkale with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Başkale is a district of Van province, located in the south-east of the province. It covers 2,727 km², stands at an altitude of 2,323 m and has a population of 37,568. It was founded before the Republic.
History
Başkale was a settlement called Adamma in the time of the Urartians; the Armenians called it Adamakert. Lying on the border between the Romans and the Parthians, Başkale fell to the Sasanians in the 3rd century AD and to the Byzantines in the 6th century. After Arab rule from 645 it remained under local Armenian lords, and in the 1100s it was attached to the Sökmenlis. After being attacked by the Mongols in 1245, the area remained under local lords for a time, then came under the Karakoyunlu after Timur in 1386, and under the Safavids in the early 16th century. The area was firmly attached to the Ottoman State in the mid-16th century, during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Geography
The district centre has an average elevation of 2,350 metres above sea level, and there are on average 140 days a year with snow cover. Located 120 km from Van, Başkale was founded south-east of Van at the foot of the İspiriz Mountains. To its north lies Özalp, which is attached to Van; to its east, the Turkish–Iranian border; to its south, Yüksekova, attached to Hakkâri; and to its west, Gürpınar, attached to Van.
Economy
The main livelihood of Başkale’s people is animal husbandry, especially sheep rearing. The district has 371,900 small livestock and 11,500 large livestock.
Tourism
The district is rich in tourist attractions: fairy chimneys and travertines, which are found in two places in Türkiye, are also present in this district. In Başkale, it is possible to see fairy chimneys and travertines about 60 km apart from each other.
City
Başkale town, founded at the foot of the İspiriz Mountains in the valley of the Greater Zab River, is a developing settlement. Located on the Van–Hakkâri road, the town is 112 km from Van, the provincial centre.
History and Culture
The Başkale area was firmly attached to the Ottoman State in the mid-16th century. Başkale was a settlement known as Adamma in the Urartian period.
Highlights
Başkale is a developing settlement founded at the foot of the İspiriz Mountains, in the valley of the Greater Zab River. It lies on the Van–Hakkâri road, and is 112 km from Van, the provincial centre.
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