Adilcevaz Kef Castle

Adilcevaz Kef Castle, situated on the shores of Lake Van, is like an open-air museum. While some of its historical artifacts are well-known, many have not received the recognition they deserve, scattered around Adilcevaz's surroundings. Adilcevaz Kef Castle is one of these treasures. Built on a hill just west of the Adilcevaz district center in Bitlis, its history dates back to the Urartian period. The castle was used by all civilizations that later ruled the region, undergoing multiple restorations. The walls and towers visible today date back to the Middle Ages. With the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia, the castle came under the control of the Anatolian Seljuks, Khwarezmshahs, Ilkhanids, Karakoyunlu, and Safavid dynasties. It gained importance in 1534 when it came under Ottoman rule and became a district center. At the beginning of this period, it found itself caught between Ottoman and Safavid rivalries. Shah Tahmasp (1534–1576), who succeeded his father Shah Ismail, invaded and destroyed Adilcevaz Kef Castle. The Ottomans later restored the castle and exempted the people from certain taxes for an extended period. The castle was described in detail by Evliya Çelebi, who visited in 1655. At that time, it had 38 towers and three gates. On the lake side of the hill where the castle stands, there is another walled settlement area called the Lower City. Remains of a mosque, warehouse, and cistern from this area have survived to this day. The Grand Mosque (Grand Mosque), which Evliya Çelebi referred to as Süleyman Han Mosque, and the Zal Pasha (Tuğrul Bey) Mosque are still in use today after restorations. However, all the houses in the Lower City settlement have been lost, with only ruins remaining. Within the now-ruined Adilcevaz Kef Castle, there is a cave called Davullu. According to legend, it is said that Ali, the cousin of Prophet Muhammad, once ascended to this cave with his horse to rest. Remarkably, hoof marks can still be seen, providing a path up to the cave.