Ardahan: Castle, History and Nature

In Ardahan’s central district, buildings and local history shape the picture; the wider Ardahan travel region also offers lakes, highland landscapes and seasonal natural phenomena. These different highlights help you place Ardahan in the context of your travel interests.

History in the City Center

Ardahan Castle is located in the Halil Efendi neighborhood in the city center. It was built in the mid-16th century by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Its rectangular fortification walls are supported by numerous towers with square ceilings and polygonal floor plans. Finds from excavations at the castle and in its surroundings indicate that the area has been inhabited since the Early Bronze Age and was ruled by various civilizations throughout history.

The Mevlit Efendi Mosque is also located in the Halil Efendi neighborhood, about 150 to 200 meters east of the castle. According to the inscription at the entrance, it was built in 1701. The two sites therefore have distinct dates: the castle was built in the mid-16th century, while the mosque’s plaque gives the year 1701.

Other Historic Sites

Ramazan Tabyası in Ortageçit, in Ardahan’s central district, is an important historic site. It covers an area of about 3,000 square meters. Its history dates back to the Urartians; the site was repaired and used during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Turkish soldiers used it for defense during the Russian occupation.

In the wider Ardahan travel region, the Ortakent (Büyük Nakala) Caves lie south of the village in the Kura Valley, on the left bank when facing downstream. The rocks contain numerous cave settlements and a large rock-cut church. The Övündü cave settlements form two groups carved into a limestone rock formation. They lie about 250 to 300 meters south of Övündü village in Çıldır district. On Akçakale Island, on the border between Kars and Ardahan provinces, architectural remains date from the Neolithic period to the present day. According to the inscription on its minbar, the central mosque in Posof was built in 1868.

Landscape and Seasonal Highlights

Lake Çıldır lies on the border between Ardahan and Kars provinces. When the lake is completely frozen in winter, visitors can walk on the ice, camp, ice-fish and ride horse-drawn sleds. As winter conditions vary, it is advisable to check conditions before making plans. The lake can be reached via Ardahan; from there, you can continue to the district center of Çıldır by dolmuş or taxi. Transport arrangements may change, so it is a good idea to check the connection in advance.

The Atatürk silhouette offers a different seasonal window: it appears each year from June 15 to July 15 on the slopes of Karadağ near Yukarı Gündeş village in Damal district. The winter activities on frozen Lake Çıldır therefore take place at a distinctly different time from this recurring annual phenomenon.

Lake Aktaş is a shallow tectonic lake in the highlands of the Turkish-Georgian region. Of its total area of 2,700 hectares, 1,400 hectares—including its twelve uninhabited, sparsely vegetated islands—lie within Turkey. Northeast of Ardahan, Ardahan Forest lies in the broad Kura Valley. This high-altitude area features pine forests, meadows and pastures mown by hand, agricultural land and extensive mountain steppes. Wildlife watching is possible; sightings vary by season and are not guaranteed. The 15-hectare Putka Lake lies right beside the Ardahan–Kars road.

Other places in the central district also add to this landscape: the 51-hectare Cemal Tural Nature Park lies opposite the Yenisey Campus of Ardahan University. The Yalnızçam ski facility is located in Yalnızçam village in Ardahan’s central district.

A Regional Product

Ardahan flower honey is made from natural flower nectar and the Caucasian honey bee. The meadows and pastures of Ardahan province are home to 600 species of honey-producing plants.

Discover more destinations: Ardahan, Hanak, Çobanlı Köyü, Sinop, Artvin, Kastamonu, Gümüşhane, Sivas

For the overview of the wider region: Turkish Black Sea Coast.