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Harput
Harput ,which looks down to Elazig is just 7 km. away from the city. While the Elazig was governed from Harput at 19th Century, people had started to move from there to Elazig for some reasons. Foremost of those reasons was the extension of the railways up to Elazig and,as a result, the difficulties and costs people had to face when transporting their goods which came by railway from there up to Harput .For that reason,they had started to leave this beautiful place and refreshing climate,and building up new residential sites at Elazig.
Harput`s history starts from fairly old ages, as old as BC 2000. First inhabitants of the region in those ages were Hurris.They were followed by Hittites, Assyrians, Urartus,and eventually Turkish era had started with the conquest of the city by Cubuk bey.If you stop by Harput in some occasion, it will be just enough to take a look at the pictures of Harput to understand how beautiful was Harput on those times. Almost all of the houses were built in the style of mansions that are mainly wooden constructions with bay windows, bearing exceedingly aesthetical qualities ,in my view.
Harput is one of the most frequently visited places among the people traveling to Elazig. Unfortunately there is not much house left with historical value except a few ruined one at the entrance of the town.These houses have been taken in a restoration plan that was introduced on 2009. A part of the fortress remained from the era of Urartus is still there.Excavation work is carried on this site currently.Rumor has that milk was used instead of water when the mortar was prepared for the construction ,so it was called as “Fortress of Milk” then. It is possible to see the remnants of an Artuklu palace on the uppermost level of the fortress.
In the most scenic point of Harput, there is the Mescid(small mosque)and tomb of Arap Baba.Tomb was built during the reign of Sultan Keyhusrev, of Seljuki dynasty.In the tomb,there is still the mortal remains of Arap Baba. According to rumors,despite that no operation was made to preserve it, the corpse remained intact today after centuries without getting decomposed. However,as some deteriorations were observed recently in the condition of the body, it is currently preserved in a glass cabinet and covered with a green cloth. St. Mary Church is located nearby the Fortress Of Harput. As the western wall of the building is actually the rocky part of the fortress,this Assyrian church looks as if embedded in this rocky walls of the fortress.While this church was a pagan temple on BC ,it was converted to church by the Christians . The church had passed through three different repairs in AD, and now planned to be open to religious ceremonies on August .If you want to see the interior parts of it ,you have to give a call to Dr.Ishak Tanoglu one day in advance to seek his guidance and have the church opened to be seen on the following day of your visit. Across the Fortress you will see the mosque of Ulu Cami with its plump shaped leaning minaret.
This mosque is one of the most important and also oldest monuments that could be seen in Anatolia.It had been built by sovereign Fahrettin Karaaslan of Artuklu state who reigned at AD 1156-1157. It is a source of attraction even from a distance with its leaning minaret and the bricks used in its construction for decoration purposes.Another place to be seen in Harput is the cave called “Buzluk”.It is said that in summer time it is ice cold inside the cave , whereas it maintains a mild temperature during winter months.The entrance to the cave is quite narrow and I do not recommend to people who has claustrophobic concerns to go in. But do not regret that,you may instead enjoy to watch the reservoir lake of Keban dam in front of you,as well as the small conic island in the lake after climbing up the hill.
If you want to dine at Harput before leaving the town, I will be recommending the place of Halit Usta: This is a small but cozy restaurant with a good reputation having 6-7 tables in a small room with a stove for cold winter seasons ,and on the walls of room there are hanged pictures which you can see views from Harput of old times. The menu is mainly composed of variety of kebaps.However,besides these,you can try the small lentil meat balls which are called “Harput kofte” which comes dipped into a paste of garlic yogurt and butter. Apart of this, I would also like to recommend an aubergine paste(patlican sogurtme) which I tasted and liked.If you go to shop at mercers you will be attracted by strings of caramel form grape molasses stuffed with walnut,hazelnut or almonds which are the specialities of the region and very tasty. Also, you will see pomegranades arranged on a vertical spit like “doner kebap” and cut with a knife to be sold per kg.
As for the accomodation, you can stay at Elazig when you plan to travel to Harput. Located at the centre of city, there is Ogretmenler Evi and double occupancy in one room will cost to you 50 TL per night with the breakfast. Besides,therei s four star Marathon Hotel which is at the centre of the city and Akgun Hotel which is also four star quality. Akgun hotel is a little bit outside of the city but it is of pretty good quality.
Translate by Umit Gonulal.
