Urartian water reservoir in Kharberd Fortress

In Turkey, in Kharberd Fortress on the territory of historical Western Armenia, a water reservoir of the Urartian period has been repaired. It will open to visitors once a road has been built in the surrounding area. The rock-cut reservoir, about 4.5 m in diameter and 30 m deep, is reached by 52 steps.

Kharberd (Harput) is on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Traces of the first settlements here date back to 3000 BC.

The photograph shows a lit underground passage cut into the rock, with steps and rope handrails. 2 people stand on the steps.