Kars Castle

Kars Castle, also known as Kars Kalesi, is a former fortification located in Kars, Turkey. It was first built during the rule of the Armenian Bagratid dynasty and then rebuilt in 1153 by Firuz Akay. The castle has a rich history, having been destroyed and rebuilt several times, including by Timur in 1386 and by the Iranian Shah Abbas I in 1606. It was rebuilt again in 1579 by Lala Mustafa Pasha and restored in 1636. The castle has 22 towers, of which only 7 remain today, and 4 gates, of which 2 are still functional. Inside the castle, there is a tomb of Jelal Baba, remains of Janissary barracks, an ammunition depot, and a small mosque that was rebuilt in the 1990s. The castle is made of basalt masonry and has a commanding view over the city. Locals often visit the castle to enjoy the sweeping view of the city