Kars

Kars
Name	Kars
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	40°36′28″N 43°05′45″E
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Turkey
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Eastern Anatolia Region
Subdivision type2	Province
Subdivision name2	Kars Province
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Ayhan Bilgen
Area total km2	2429
Elevation m	1768
Population total	96861
Population as of	2022
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	36xxx
Area code	(+90) 474
Blank name	Licence plate
Blank info	36
Website	http://www.kars.bel.tr/

Kars is a historically significant city in northeastern Turkey, serving as the capital of Kars Province. Situated on a plateau near the border with Armenia, it has been a strategic crossroads for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of numerous empires. The city is renowned for its formidable medieval fortress, distinctive 19th-century Baltic architecture, and its pivotal role in the Russo-Turkish Wars.

History

The area's early history is marked by its inclusion in the ancient kingdom of Urartu, followed by successive rule by the Armenian, Roman, and Byzantine empires. In the 10th century, it became the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom, with the construction of the iconic Kars Citadel beginning during this period. The Seljuk Turks captured the city in the 11th century, after which it became a contested frontier zone between the Georgian Kingdom, the Ilkhanate, and various Turkmen beyliks. Incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, it gained immense strategic importance during the Russo-Turkish Wars of the 19th century. Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), it was ceded to the Russian Empire by the Treaty of San Stefano and later confirmed under Russian administration by the Congress of Berlin. This period left a lasting architectural imprint, with the city's grid plan and many buildings designed by Baltic German architects. After the Russian Revolution, it was briefly part of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic and the First Republic of Armenia before being captured by Turkish National Movement forces following the Turkish–Armenian War, a conflict solidified by the Treaty of Kars in 1921, which established the modern border with the Soviet Union.

Geography and climate

The city is located on a high, windswept plateau in the Eastern Anatolia Region, near the confluence of the Kars River and its tributaries, close to the frontier with Armenia. This plateau is part of the larger Armenian Highlands and is characterized by a harsh continental climate with very cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The region experiences significant temperature variations, with records held by the nearby meteorological station in Sarıkamış, and the landscape is dominated by steppe, making it suitable for pastoral farming.

Demographics

The population has undergone significant changes over the last century due to war and political treaties. Following the Treaty of Kars and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, many Armenians emigrated or were displaced, while Muslims from the Caucasus and the Balkans settled in the region. Today, the population is predominantly Turkish and Kurdish, with smaller communities of Azerbaijani and other groups. The province is also home to a distinct cultural group known as the Malakans, descendants of Russian sectarians who settled during the imperial period.

Economy

The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with the famous Kars honey, Kars gravyer cheese, and livestock breeding being major products. The city serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding rural areas. Limited industrial activity exists, while cross-border trade with Georgia and potential with Armenia remains an important, though historically variable, economic factor. In recent decades, tourism, centered on historical sites and winter sports in Sarıkamış, has become an increasingly significant sector.

Main sights

The most dominant landmark is the medieval Kars Citadel, overlooking the old city. The 19th-century Russian quarter below features distinctive architecture, including the former Governor's Mansion and the Fethiye Mosque, originally built as a Russian Orthodox church. Other key historical and religious sites include the 10th-century Cathedral of Kars, also known as the Church of the Holy Apostles, the Kümbet Mosque, and the ancient ruins of Ani, the medieval Armenian capital located nearby on the border. The Kars Museum houses artifacts from these various historical periods.

Culture

The city's culture reflects its layered history, with influences from Armenian, Russian, Caucasian, and Turkish traditions. This is evident in its unique local cuisine, which blends Anatolian and Caucasian flavors, and its architectural heritage. The region is known for its distinctive folk music and dances, such as the Kafkas. Cultural events and festivals often celebrate local products like cheese and honey, while the memory of the Sarıkamış campaign is a solemn part of local historical consciousness. The city was also a setting for parts of the novel *Snow* by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk.

Category:Populated places in Kars Province Category:Capitals of provinces of Turkey