Fodor's Expert Review Taş Köprü

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.