ELAZIG
Elazig, founded in the 19th century, lies on a plain in the shadow of a mountain crowned with the ancient city of Harput's citadel. The destruction of several earthquakes and the relatively recent construction of Elazig has led to most of Harput's population deserting it for the modern city. Several Seljuk mosques remain, however, which are worth visiting. The Keban and Karakaya Dams on the Firat river have created huge artificial lakes, dramatically altering the surrounding environment. 25km south of Elazig, the lovely and tranquil Hazar Lake invites relaxation.
High mountains encircle Tunceli, 133km north of Elazig on the Elazig-Erzurum road. On the way, stop off to see the fortress of Pertek, built in the Middle Ages and still in good condition today. In the Munzur Valley National Park near Ovacik, 60km north-west of Tunceli, you can fish in rushing, trout-filled streams while enjoying the amazing scenery. The most direct route to this region is the Central Anatolian Highway that passes through Kayseri, Malatya, Elazig, Bingöl, Mus, Van and on to Iran, via Hakkari
Malatya
is a busy city situated on a fertile plain at the foot of the Anti-Taurus
Mountains. 
The
archaeology museum houses new find from the Lower Firat region that date
from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic ages. Next to the city museum, you
can shop in the bazaar where an entire passageway of shops is devoted to
copper wares. In Malatya, the apricot growing center of Turkey, it is possible
to sample many delicious apricot confections as well as other fresh and
dried fruit. The two small towns, which pre-date the establishment of present
day Malatya, are easy expeditions. Asiantepe, 7 km away, was the capital
of a Hittite state in the first millennium B.C., and Battalgazi, 9 km away,
was once the ancient city of Melitene. At the latter, stand the ruins of
a Byzantine enclosure, and in the center of town, the 13th century Ulu
Mosque is an excellent example of Seljuk architecture.
Bingol means "a thousand lakes": a name given to the town because of the many glacier lakes in the surrounding mountains. In the city stand the remains of a medieval fortress. Bingol-Yolgati (Kurucadag) Ski Center is 20 km to the west.
Mus, a subdistrict of Korkut and a little out of the way for most tourist routes, were founded in the 6th century. Many of the city's monuments, including the remains of a citadel and the Asianhane Caravanserai, are in poor condition. The Seljuk mosques of Alaeddin Pasa and Haci Seref, however, are certainly worth a detour. Korkut is famous for its kilim weaving and Siirt blankets; it's definitely worth seeing.
The lively
city of Bitlis, an important center of tobacco production, stands in the
middle of a green oasis. The city's architecture uses the local dark stone,
and the masonry monuments include the Serefhan Medrese, the 12th century
Ulu Mosque, the Seljuk Gökmeydani Mosque and the Ottoman Serefiye
Mosque. Bitlis Ski Center is close to the town's center. From Tatvan on
the western shore of Lake Van, you can take a passenger and train ferry
across the water to Van. Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) makes a challenging
climb. In its center a deep crater lake bubbles with volcanic hot springs.
 |
 |
 |
| Home | Site Map | Contact Us |