According to the inscription on the southern wall, Kars Castle was built in 1152 on the orders of the Saltukid Sultan Melik İzzeddin. The city suffered significant destruction during the 40-year Russian occupation following the 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian War — the Baltic-style architectural legacy from this period is still visible in the city's fabric today.
Inside the castle stands the Seljuk-era "Dragon Tower," one of Anatolia's oldest hospitals, along with the 12th-century Celal Baba Mausoleum.
Highlights
Kars Castle
A 12th-century defensive structure overlooking the city and the Kars River.
Russian-era architecture
Grid-planned streets and stone buildings from the 1878-1918 Russian administration, unlike anything else in Anatolia.
Gateway to Ani
Kars is the starting point and lodging center for the road to the Ruins of Ani.
Proximity to Lake Çıldır
About 70 km away lies a lake that freezes completely in winter, allowing for sledding and ice fishing.