Turkey's Winter Wonderland: Kars

Kars is a city that takes place inside of the borders of Turkey, specifically Eastern Anatolia. Information about where the city's name, Kars, is coming from has so many traditional stories. Because Kars has played an important role for many civilizations throughout its rich cultural history, it is thought that the name Kars is derived from the Armenian word "hars," which means bride, or the Georgian word "Kari," which means the gate.

Kars' current population is 73,836 as of 2011, and the city is known as one of the highest cities of Turkey, standing at an altitude of more than 1.500 kilometers (5.741 feet) from the sea level. The city's most notable feature is its location at the epicenter of the Turkish-Russian war, which lasted from 1877 to 1878. After the war, the city remained under Russian rule until the 1910s, and the visitors can still sense the Russian influence in the town's unique architecture. The city's popularity has been growing, and the city is becoming an important tourism destination since the opening of Eastern Express, which runs between Ankara Railway station and Kars Railway Station. Kuyucuk lake, Sarıkamış, Kur River, and many other natural wonders of Kars have become popular tourist destinations, with the number of visitors increasing year after year. Because the city has welcomed different kinds of cultures for thousands of years, there are so many places to see.

Well-known museums are waiting to be visited in the city: Havariler Museum known as the 10th century Church of the Apostles and the Archeological Museum, reveal hundreds of cultural items collected from eastern Turkey. There is also a Cheese Museum which attracts visitors for offering knowledge regarding the types of cheese made in the city. Kuyucuk lake is also a well-known place for being located at one of the biggest bird migration routes and welcoming more than 200 species of birds. Kuyucuk Wildlife Reserve is playing the role of being one of the most important wetlands located in the Kars. So many kinds of wood carvings, collections of coins, and traditional carpets that are known as kilims can be bought from local stores. If you want to admire natural wonders and be fascinated by the heritage of this city, you are welcomed by the local people!