Ancient Harput settlement area is just like an open air museum. It is a touristic spot worth seeing with its museum, castle, mosques and Buzluk cave.
History
Acording to the historical records, the Hurris, having been settled in Eastern Anatolia beginning from 2000 BC, are the first inhabitants of Harput. After sovereignty of the Hurris, the region was ruled by the Hittites for a short time. Since the 9th century BC, the Urartus established a state in the eastern Anatolia and ruled the region for years. Harput and its environs were conquered by the Turks in 1085. Later on, it experienced the rule of the İlhans, Dulkadirogulları Principality, Akkoyunlu State and Safevis, and finally it was conquered by the Ottoman Army in 15l6 after Caldıran War.
Climate
Terrestrial climate is dominant in Harput, and it is cold and rainy in winters and hot and dry in summers.
Places to Visit
Harput Museum
Historical piece of arts, found around Elazig and Harput, are exhibited in the museum. There are inscriptions, Icme Tumulus findings and various ethnographic pieces of arts among these. Open hours to visit : 08.30 – 12.00 / 13.00 – 17.30 Open days to visit : It is closed for visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively for successor weeks.
Harput Castle (Milk Castle)
It is known that the castle with a complete view of Elazig Plain, was built in the south-east of ancient Harput during Urartian Era. As stated in the historical records, the castle was captured by the Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. It was repaired in various periods. Rectangular castle has two sections namely, Interior Castle and Exterior Castle. Its magnificent bastions have survived to the present day. Various myths are being told of the castle. According to one of the rumours, milk was added to the mortar mix, instead of water. Therefore, Milk Castle is the other name of the castle.
Kursunlu Mosque
It is a beautiful example of Ottoman Period Mosques in Harput. Square shaped mosque is covered with a big dome.
Alacali Mosque, The mosque displays architectural styles of different periods. Having been built during Artukogullari Principality era, it is a small, square planned mosque of which wooden work is quite attractive.
Ulu Mosque
Having been built by the Artuk Ruler Fahrettin Karaaslan in Harput between 1156 and 1157 AD, the Mosque is one of the most important and oldest structures in Anatolia.
Aga Mosque
The elegant minaret of the mosque has survived to the present day whereas the dome has been collapsed. It is located at the entrance of Harput. The dome of the mosque has been collapsed, whereas its elegant minaret has managed to survive to the present day. According to its inscription on display in the Harput Museum, it was built in 1559.
The Church of Virgin Mary
It is located on the east side of Harput Castle. The back walls of the Church are the rock masses of the Harput Castle, therefore the church is just like buried into the rocks of the Castle. The construction date is 159 AD. This church is also called as Red Church, Syrian Church or Yakubi Church.
Caverns
Most important cavern of the city is Buzluk Cavern, which is opened to tourism.
Access
By Road
It can be easily accessed by the roads from all cities in Turkey.
By Rail
Railway transportation to Harput is also possible.
By Air
The nearest airport to the region is Elazig Airport on the 8th km of Elazig Bingol Highway. Transportation to the airport is provided by the busses of Turkish Airlines and taxis.