Destination
Hoşap Kalesi
The castle, built on a steep and sheer rock mass to the northwest of Hoşap Stream, consists of the inner castle and the outer castle to its north. With a history extending back to the Urartian State, the castle has survived to the present day in the form built by the Mahmudi Beys, who were subject to the Ottoman State. According to the inscription above the entrance gate of the inner castle, it was built by Mahmudi Süleyman Bey in H. 1052 (1643).
Hoşap Kalesi and 6 places around it
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Highlights
- History
Good for
- Cultural routes
Suggested visit:45 minutes
The castle, built on a steep and sheer rock mass to the northwest of Hoşap Suyu, consists of the inner castle and the outer castle to its north. With a history extending back to the Urartian State, the castle has survived to the present day in the form commissioned by the Mahmudi Beys, who were subject to the Ottoman State. According to the inscription above the entrance gate of the inner castle, it was commissioned by Mahmudi Süleyman Bey in H. 1052 (1643).
The outer castle walls are enclosed by fortifications shaped according to the structure of the terrain, running around the east, north, and west. The eastern walls are partially ruined, while those on the west are largely destroyed. Some of the bastions supporting the walls have survived to the present day, and the gates on the east and west have also been completely destroyed. There is a watchtower in the northeast of the outer castle. Inside, there are now the remains of a mosque and village houses.
The inner castle was built on a mass that is steep from the south and sloping from the north. It was fortified on the north, east, and west with curtain walls, bastions, and towers, and a second fortification was built to the northeast. The castle is entered through a gate opened in the entrance bastion located near the middle on the north side. On the west façade of the bastion, arranged in the form of a monumental portal, the inscription, blind window, and lion reliefs provide a certain liveliness. In addition, the original iron gate leaves are still in use.
Within the Inner Castle are complex structures described as Mahmudi Sarayı. These are lined up on the south side of the castle. At the highest and eastern section is the viewing pavilion, immediately to its west is the harem, and at the far western end is the selamlık. The masjid, dungeon, oven, and cistern are the other structures of the inner castle. The castle, which was abandoned in the mid-XIX. century, has survived to the present day largely intact with its structures. For this reason, it is one of the notable symbolic structures of the region.
Places to Visit in Van Address: Gürpınar/Van
Last updated: 20 October 2026
Location and surroundings
Hoşap Kalesi sits within İpekyolu, Van. The toroti catalogue holds 56 described stops across Van, 16 of them in İpekyolu.
The nearest stop is Abbas Ağa Camii, 2.3 km to the north. Another 6 catalogued points lie within a 30 km radius.
The Van – Erzurum route passes 1.2 km away, so this works as a stop along the drive.
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Frequently asked
- What is Hoşap Kalesi?
- The castle, built on a steep and sheer rock mass to the northwest of Hoşap Stream, consists of the inner castle and the outer castle to its north. With a history extending back to the Urartian State, the castle has survived to the present day in the form built by the Mahmudi Beys, who were subject to the Ottoman State. According to the inscription above the entrance gate of the inner castle, it was built by Mahmudi Süleyman Bey in H. 1052 (1643).
- Where is Hoşap Kalesi?
- Hoşap Kalesi is in İpekyolu, Van.
- How long does it take to visit Hoşap Kalesi?
- The suggested visit time for Hoşap Kalesi is about 45 minutes.
- What else is there to see near Hoşap Kalesi?
- toroti’s catalogue holds other destinations within 30 km of Hoşap Kalesi; the closest are Abbas Ağa Camii, Hüsrev Paşa Medresesi, Ayanis Kalesi.
- Is Hoşap Kalesi on the way anywhere, and which route?
- Hoşap Kalesi lies 1.2 km from the Van – Erzurum route, close enough to add to that drive with a short detour.