The Kars Newspaper
Kars Castle, a nearly millennium-old fortress that stands as one of the city's most significant historical landmarks, is currently awaiting inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Perched atop a high vantage point offering a panoramic view of the city, the iconic structure has hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, managing to stand resilient despite countless wars, sieges, and destruction.
Speaking to journalists, historian Prof. Dr. Yaşar Kop from Kafkas University's Dede Korkut Faculty of Education emphasized that Kars Castle rightfully deserves a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He noted that the fortress is not only a symbol of Kars but also one of the most critical cultural heritages of Anatolia and Turkish-Islamic history.
"A Complete Complex Named After the Karsak Tribe"
Highlighting the historical and structural importance of the fortress, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Kop stated:
"Behind us stands a fortress that has remained resilient for a thousand years, still maintaining its original grandeur. Kars Castle takes its name from the Karsak tribe, who arrived and settled here around 130 BC. Rather than just its chronology, its sheer significance is what matters most. Historically, it was built by Firuz Akay in 1152 by the order of Melik Izzet, upon the request of the Anatolian Seljuk Ruler I. Rukneddin Mesud. It is essential to know that it features 220 bastions. The fortress has a width of 90 meters, a core length of 250 meters, and spans 27,000 meters including its surrounding structures. With its mosque, masjid, armory, bathhouse, and barracks, it is a complete historic complex situated at a magnificent panoramic center."