The ruins of the city known as the “Ancient City of Van” built on the slopes of the Van fortress are slowly being destroyed. The ruins of the ancient city, built under the kingdom of Ararat, have long been a target for treasure hunters. According to information from the Mesopotamian news agency, treasure thieves have destroyed almost the entire area through illegal excavations. In addition to the damage caused by treasure thieves, various parts of the historic city are being used as cattle pens.

The history of the ancient city begins in 800 BC. The structures left behind by the kingdom of Ararat, from rock sculpture to metallurgy and craftsmanship, are the great and rich legacy left by our ancestors. The fortress of Van and the buildings within it must be protected.