KARS

“A Song of the Snow Country…
Where Armenian Heritage Meets the Spirit of the Highlands.”

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City Introduction：

Kars is located in the northeastern corner of Türkiye, bordering Armenia. It is a frontier city where Caucasian influences blend with Turkish culture. Serving as the gateway to the ancient city of Ani (Ani Ruins), Kars is also distinguished by Baroque architecture left behind from the period of Russian rule. Each winter, the city becomes a popular final destination of the Eastern Express, giving Kars a cinematic atmosphere uniquely its own.

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 Top Attractions ：

Ani Ruins

Located east of Kars along the Arpaçay River, Ani was once the capital of the Armenian Kingdom in the 10th century. At its peak, it was home to more than 100,000 residents and over a thousand churches, palaces, and religious structures, earning it the title “the City of a Thousand and One Churches.”

Set on the edge of a dramatic canyon, the site was naturally fortified and strategically defensible. Today, visitors can explore monumental stone churches, the remains of a three-arched bridge, frescoed cave structures, and remarkably intact city walls. The most renowned monuments include the Church of St. Gregory and the Cathedral of Ani, which showcase sophisticated Armenian stone craftsmanship and Byzantine influences.

In winter, Ani Ruins are blanketed in snow, with silent ruins standing in stark contrast against the white plains—like a city frozen in time. It is a pilgrimage site for photographers and enthusiasts of history and religious culture.

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Russian-style Architecture

From 1878 to 1918, Kars was under Russian Imperial rule for 40 years, leaving behind a significant legacy of Russian Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. This architectural heritage sets Kars apart from other Turkish cities today.

Walking through the old town, one encounters former Orthodox churches converted into mosques, military academies, train stations, cobblestone streets, and European-style street lamps. These late 19th-century structures reflect Russian urban planning concepts of the era.

Representative examples include former Russian barracks (now university buildings), the old Kars Museum site, rectangular symmetrical squares, and repurposed chapels—important clues to understanding the region’s layered history of governance and cultural fusion.

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Kars Castle

Also known as the Fortress of Kars, Kars Castle stands on a hill overlooking the entire city. Originally built by the Bagratid dynasty in the 12th century, it was later rebuilt and reinforced multiple times during the Ottoman period, serving as a crucial military stronghold on the eastern frontier.

Constructed of roughly cut basalt stone and adapted to the natural terrain, the fortress features massive gates, surviving walls, watchtowers, and passageways. From the top, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Kars and the surrounding plateau and river valleys—especially breathtaking when covered in winter snow. At sunset, the walls glow in warm golden-brown tones, making it a favorite spot for photographers and evening walks, while conveying the historical weight of this border city.

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Sarikamış Ski Resort

Located approximately 50 kilometers west of Kars, Sarıkamış Ski Resort sits at an altitude of about 2,100–2,600 meters. Thanks to its highland terrain and distinctive snow quality, it is often referred to as “the Alps of Türkiye.”

The snow here is known as “crystal snow”—light, dry, and similar to Siberian powder—making it ideal for advanced skiers while remaining accessible to beginners. The slopes are well-designed, ranging from wide forest trails to off-piste areas, supported by modern lifts and facilities. Surrounded by pine forests, the resort offers crisp air and a fairy-tale atmosphere after snowfall. The ski season runs from December through late March, with stable weather and a high rate of sunny days, making it ideal for both professional skiing and family holidays.

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Local Cuisine：

Goose with Rice: A signature winter dish of Kars, featuring rich, flavorful goose meat served with fragrant spiced rice.