4 Best Sights in Kars, The Black Sea Coast and Lake Van

The town's castle looms over the area from its high, rocky vantage point. Though it dates from the 10th century, in 1386 Tamerlane swept violently through the region and razed the original structure, and most surviving fortifications were commissioned by Lala Mustafa Paşa in 1579. The castle has gone through some restoration in recent years and the panoramic views of Kars merit the 10-minute walk uphill. There's a large café/restaurant where you can enjoy a reasonably priced lunch or a drink with an impressive view.

This museum has a lot of pre-classical pottery, as well as the beautiful doors of an Armenian church. Also of note are photographs and finds from the excavations at Ani. Located near the train station on the eastern edge of town, it's a long walk from the center and a little difficult to find—you may want to take a taxi. Easily missed outside is the railway carriage where Ottoman General Kazım Karabekir signed the treaty of Kars with the Soviet Union, settling today's border.

Located at the foot of the hill by Kars River, this was originally built in the 10th century as the Armenian Church of the Twelve Apostles. You can still make out the Apostles on the exterior of the drum-shape cupola. Since 1998, the building has served as a mosque, with the entrance on the far side.

The area between the castle and the Church of the Apostles was the heart of Kars prior to its Russian occupation, but only a few early constructions survive. The most notable is the Taş Köprü, which means "the Stone Bridge," of Seljuk origin, dating from the 1400s and built of volcanic rock. On either side of the bridge are several mostly abandoned hammams and timber and stone houses; you'll also find the restored 300-year-old home of famed poet Nemik Kemal that is now a cultural center with a slightly bizarre collection of miniature Turkish buildings in the garden. The rest of the area is somewhat neglected, though local authorities occasionally attempt to rejuvenate the area.