Van's original museum was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, and this gleaming new glass structure at the foot of Van Castle was opened in late 2014. The museum boasts the world's pre-eminent collection of Urartian exhibits, including exquisite gold jewellery, and an array of bronze belts, helmets, horse armour and terracotta figures. Ethnographic exhibits include local Kurdish and Turkoman kilims.
Just past a nearby roundabout back towards Van is the Van Kedi Evi (Van Cat House), ostensibly a touristy silver studio and shop, but a good opportunity to see some Van cats – pure white and often with eyes of two different colours.
