Civilizations relived in Van streets

Now the great history of the region will be honored through stone-art and architectural design as part of a project of the Parks and Gardens Directorate of the Van Municipality. Ayşe Şeyran, director of the Parks and Gardens Directorate, told Anatolian News Agency that Sanat Street, one of the busiest spots in the city, is going to be restored in accordance with the city’s historic architecture and two street ends will be decorated with stone archways.

Şeyran said the archways will have mostly Urartian figures carved on them, but will also have Seljukian and Ottoman designs alongside them. Many designs will be carved on stone blocks and exhibited in various spots on the street.

"We have prepared a restoration project for Sanat Street with Van’s historical richness and stone reserves in mind. Only natural stone will be used on the street. We will use stones such as basaltic, ahlat, travertine and andesite stones for both the floor and wall carvings," said Şeyran. Van has large stone reserves in quarries. "The street will feature many art figures and other structures, such as wooden benches and trash cans," said Şeyran.