Kağızman – Castles, Rock Art and Apple Culture

Kağızman lies on an alluvial plain in the Aras Valley and combines a historic town center with archaeological remains, nearby castles and a distinctive apple variety. The center is home to the castle and Eski Kilise, a former church converted into a mosque. Rock art, a cave and landscapes throughout the district complete the picture. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to distinguish between these different locations.

Castle and Building History

Kağızman Castle is in the town center; the present-day stone castle was built in 1579 in the Çarşı Mahallesi quarter. Historical sources attribute its construction to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Eski Kilise adds another chapter to the town’s history: the former church building was converted into a mosque. Nearby, Keçivan Castle lies northwest of Kağızman district at the foot of Aladağ; it was once a sancak center. Near Kötek is the small medieval Köroğlu Castle, beside the Kars–Kağızman road. It was built to control the road and was used mainly in the 16th century. Keçivan and Köroğlu thus differ in their historical roles: one was a former administrative center, while the other served to control a road.

Rock Art and Cave

The Camuşlu Yazılıkaya rock art is located nearby, on the eastern slopes of Aladağ. Dating from the Upper Paleolithic, it consists of two rock-art panels depicting humans and animals. The larger panel is about 14 meters long and 4 meters wide. Kurbanağa Cave is also near Yazılıkaya: it is 11.5 meters deep, 55 meters wide inside and has an entrance 12.5 meters wide. The two sites offer different points of interest. At Yazılıkaya, the figures on the rock-art panels are the main feature; at the cave, the focus is on its depth, interior space and entrance.

Landscapes in the District

The Aras River flows through Kağızman district for more than 50 kilometers. In the western part of the district is the freshwater lake Denizgölü, 3.5 kilometers north of the Aras; the lake is home to mirror carp. While the river information describes a stretch passing through the district, the other information locates a specific lake. This spatial distinction adds concrete points of reference within the district to Kağızman’s setting in the Aras Valley.

Kağızman Uzun Elması

The regional apple culture also gives Kağızman a distinctive identity. Kağızman Uzun Elması has a protected designation of origin; its geographical area covers Kağızman district in Kars Province. The sweet fruit is cylindrical and distinctly longer than an egg. Of Turkey’s 25 apple varieties, it is considered particularly characteristic of Kağızman. The harvest takes place around October 1, which is Kağızman’s Liberation Day. The variety thus connects its origin and striking shape with an approximate seasonal reference point for planning a trip.

Discover more destinations: Sarıkamış, Dağpınar, Akyaka, Yukarıdamlapınar, Yenice, Çolaklı, Selim, Kars

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