The city of Van has historically served as a center to an unmatched variety of religions and cultures. Its nearness to Türkiye’s eastern border has allowed it over the years to prosper in varieties of fashions and to become a cultural mosaic. The region’s history as a major urban area can be dated back as far as to the 10th century BCE when it served as a capital to the Urartu Kingdom. This historical richness is reflected on the city’s architecture, with the most famed architectural heritages being the historical Van Castle and Hoşap Castle.