Italian merchant who visited Van in 1510 explains:
“After a day’s travel, you arrive at Van castle. This castle is built on a massive rock and spits clean water sources from all sides. Measuring more than a mile in diameter, this castle has a narrow and long structure. The inhabitants of the castle are fulfilling their need for water that comes out of the castle and in the form of a fountain.
This castle and settlement are governed by a Kurdish ruler named Zidi Beg. This powerful noble and so-called Kurdish ruler is also very proud to have ruled this beautiful fortress and all the other fortresses in the surrounding mountains. This Zidi Beg is printing money in his own name, including gold, silver and copper.
There is a big city at the bottom of the castle. The majority of the population of this city consists of Armenians. However, the people living in the castle are all Kurds. This place is located a few miles from the sea. This is a place with lots of food, drinks and groceries. Zidi Beg has many sons and together with his sons they manage many castles in the region. As I said before, this ruler is both proud and equally arrogant in terms of the power and position he holds. So, someone who insists on Shah birismail”.
Image: 1847, Van Castle. The traveling painter J. Laurens.
