House of Van cats; A place for cat lovers

Türkiye is a vast country with unique historical, natural and cultural attractions. Turkey‘s sights range from ancient ruins and magnificent mosques to traditional baths and lively markets. But if you love cats, you should definitely visit Van’s Cat House.

Van’s Cat House is one of Van’s attractions and a unique place for cat lovers. This safe haven is home to one breed of cats, known as “blue-eyed cats”.

In this article from Alibaba tourism magazine, we are going to introduce the paradise of cat lovers. If you are looking for an ideal opportunity to touch and play with these lovely creatures, join us.

Introducing the house of Van cats

Van Cat House is a shelter for Van cats in the city of Van, Türkiye. Tub cats are famous for their piercing blue and amber eyes. As one of the symbols of the city of Van, these cats have become a popular attraction for tourists.

Every year, thousands of people from all over the world travel to Van to visit these special and lovely cats.

The main goal of this shelter is to protect the unique breed of Turkish Van cats and also to provide medical and care services to homeless and abandoned cats in this city.

In this shelter, Van cats are kept in safe and healthy conditions and have proper nutrition, health and treatment services and sufficient play space.

Where is the house of Van cats?

The house of Van cats is located in Turkey, Van city and near Lake Van.

The location of Van’s cat house on Google Map

Photo from: X site

The access path to the house of Van cats

You can use a private car, taxi or bus to reach the house of Van cats. If you plan to use a private car, you can reach this place via Van Gölü Caddesi.

Photo from: Instagram site

If your choice is a bus, you can board the buses of the central station and travel for about 15 minutes. Finally, wherever you are in the city, you can take a taxi to Van Cats House.

Photo from: Instagram site

The best time to visit the house of Van cats

The best time to visit Van Cat House in Türkiye is early morning or late afternoon. At this time, the weather is cooler and less crowded.

Also, the house of cats is more crowded on holidays and weekends. So if you want to watch or play with the cats safely, it is better to visit this place during the middle of the week and during quieter hours.

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Working hours of Van Cats House

You can visit this center every day from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm to see the lovely Van cats.

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History of Van’s House of Cats

Van’s cat house in 1999. It was established in the city of Van, Türkiye. At this time, the Turkish authorities noticed the alarming extinction of Lake Van cats. According to reports, only 90 cats of this beautiful, white and furry breed were left.

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The threat of extinction of the Van cat generation became the motivation for setting up this safe haven. The purpose of establishing Van Cats House was to protect these lovely and endangered creatures.

Since then, the sanctuary has helped save and rehabilitate Van cats by providing veterinary care, breeding programs and public education. Today, thanks to the efforts of Van Cat House, fortunately, the population of this rare breed has increased.

Photo from: Instagram site

Architecture of the house of Van cats

The Cat House, a safe haven for Van’s cats, is a two-story stone and brick building with a white facade. At the entrance of this building, there is a large painting of Van cats, which makes you more eager to see these cats from the very beginning.

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In both floors, there are large and light-reflecting windows that direct natural light into the building.

In general, this modern building, combining traditional Turkish architecture and modern interior designs, has provided a comfortable, calm and safe environment for the cats of Van.

Photo from: Instagram site

What are bathtub cats like?

Van cats, also known as Van lake cats, are a rare breed of feline known for their discolored eyes. Eye color of Van cats is one of their most obvious features. These beautiful and furry cats are usually white and one eye is blue and the other is amber.

Photo from: Instagram site

In addition to discolored eyes, Van cats have other appearance characteristics that distinguish them from other cat breeds. These cats have a medium size with a round head and relatively large ears.

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The muscular and strong body of these cats protects them from the cold and mountainous climate of their living area, which is located around Lake Van in Turkey.

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It is interesting to know that the hair and coat of these cats becomes thicker and more in the cold season to protect them from the cold, and in the hot season their hair falls and becomes less.

Unlike most cats that hate water, bathtub cats are very fond of swimming, which is why they are also called swimming cats. These cats are intelligent, playful and active and can be loyal and fun companions as pets.

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Among other features of these cats, we can mention their food. Bath cats love special cat food, but melons and watermelons are also popular treats for these cats.

Different parts of the house of Van cats

As we said above, Van Turkey cat house has two floors, each floor contains different parts for the welfare and entertainment of cats and visitors.

first floor

The first floor of the building hosts a permanent exhibit that explores the history, unique characteristics, and importance of tub cats in the city’s culture. In this exhibition, you can get interesting information about the unique breed of these cats through pictures, videos, books and other objects related to Van cats.

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In addition to the exhibition, there is a shop where you can buy a variety of souvenirs related to the cats of Van, including t-shirts, mugs, postcards and cat toys.

second floor

The second floor of Van Cat House is completely dedicated to cats. On this floor there is a large play area with various toys and equipment for the cats to climb up and down, run and play with each other.

Photo from: Instagram site

There are also several separate rooms for cats to rest, eat and sleep. These rooms are cleaned regularly and equipped with all necessary amenities for cats.

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On this floor you can play with cats and take pictures of them. Of course, we must say that some cats may be shy and do not communicate with you at the first moment, so wait a while for them to get used to you.

Places to visit near Van Cats House

Visiting the house of Van cats takes about an hour. After watching the cute and furry cats, you can visit other attractions of this beautiful area.

Van Castle

The historical castle of Van is one of the main attractions of the city of Van, which dates back to the 8th century BC. The distance between Cat House and Van Castle is approximately 12 kilometers. This castle is located on a high rock, and by climbing its steps, you can see a unique view of the city and Lake Van.

Photo from: Wikimedia site

In addition to seeing the surrounding sights, you can also visit the museum inside the castle and its old items.

You may be interested to know that you can see a relic of the Achaemenid era in this area. Khashayarshah’s inscription, which is placed on a rock at a height of 20 meters, is one of the other sights of this area.

Photo from: kulturportali site

Van Lake

Lake Van is the biggest lake in Türkiye and one of the attractions close to the house of Van cats. If you are a nature tourist; Strolling along the lake and seeing the scenery around it will be a pleasant experience for you.

Photo from: Itemtravel site

You can swim in the shallow parts of the lake, enjoy boating and fishing, take pictures and visit the spectacular Akdamar and Adair islands located in the heart of Lake Van.

Van Museum

The Van Museum is located in the center of the city of Van and is approximately 12 kilometers away from the House of Cats. This museum has a long history and contains a valuable collection of about 3,3749 historical works, ancient works and ethnological objects.

Photo from: Google maps site

If you are interested in seeing ancient artifacts and old objects such as manuscripts, coins, bone tools, old tombstones, etc., do not miss the experience of visiting Van Museum.

The house is upside down

If you are looking for a different and exciting experience, don’t miss the upside-down house, one of the fascinating sights of Van city. In this house, all objects and decorations are arranged upside down.

In this strange arrangement, you will experience a sense of vertigo and excitement and you will get a great opportunity to take pictures and record memorable memories with your friends and family.

Photo from: Haber site

The Upside Down House is located in Ipek Park in the neighborhood of Sharfieh and approximately 15 km from the house of Van cats in Turkey. In this park, in addition to the upside-down house, you can also use other recreational facilities, playgrounds, sports fields, and cafes.

Photo from: Bolgegazetsivan site

Staying near Van’s Cats House

If you plan to stay in this area, you should know that there are no hotels or accommodations near the house of cats. The distance from the nearest hotels to the Van Türkiye Cat House is approximately 15 km.

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Since the house of the cats is located near Van Lake, camping near the lake can be another option for staying in this area. Depending on your lifestyle, budget, etc., it is your choice which option to choose.

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Recommendations for visiting the Van Cats House

• Tub cats are a special breed of cats. So don’t forget to observe hygiene tips. Use gloves to touch cats and avoid touching their eyes and mouth.
• Do not give food or snacks to cats without coordination and permission from the center officials.
• Be gentle when visiting and playing with cats.
• Don’t forget the camera to capture memorable moments of lovely cats.