Elazığ

🏞️ Elazığ: The City of Mountains, History, and Legends

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🕌 Historical and Natural Sites

🏰 Harput Castle

One of the first places that come to mind when thinking of Elazığ is Harput Castle. This castle is extremely ancient and surrounded by legends. Inside the castle you can find old mosques churches and baths. According to legend mortar made of milk was used in its construction!

🕌 Ulu Cami

This mosque located in Harput is one of the oldest in Anatolia. It is notable for its leaning minaret and is also known as the “Pisa Tower of the East”.

🌄 Buzluk Cave

This cave is cool inside during summer and warm during winter making it a marvel of nature. Located near Harput it is especially popular with children.

🌊 Hazar Lake

In Elazığ which has no sea there is a lake as large as the sea! Hazar Lake with its crystal clear water and beaches is a favorite destination for those seeking relief from the summer heat. According to legend an ancient city lies hidden beneath its waters.

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⚙️ Modern Elazığ

🚉 The Eastern Express and Tourism

Tourists arriving in Elazığ via the Eastern Express explore Harput and sample local delicacies. In recent years Elazığ has gained increasing recognition as a tourist destination.

🏥 Fethi Sekin City Hospital

This large hospital in Elazığ provides healthcare services not only to the city but also to surrounding provinces.

🏗️ University City

Fırat University is one of the most important educational institutions in Elazığ and Türkiye. Many students receive their education here.

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🎉 Cultural Events

🎶 Çayda Çıra Festival

At this festival people wear traditional clothing and perform the game called “çayda çıra” using candles. It has become a symbol of Elazığ.

🎭 Harput Festival

Concerts theatrical performances and folk games held in the historic setting of Harput are especially enjoyable for children.

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🍲 Elazığ’s Culinary Delights

🥘 Harput Köfte

Made with fine bulgur and minced meat this meatball is both filling and delicious.

🍇 Orcik

A dessert made by threading walnuts on a string and coating them with grape molasses. It is eaten like Turkish delight.

🥣 İçli Köfte

This ball-shaped dish consists of bulgur on the outside and minced meat on the inside. It is served either fried or boiled.

🧁 Gömme Tatlısı

A traditional dessert made by placing walnuts inside dough.

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🧒 Elazığ for Children

🎡 Play and Entertainment

Elazığ has children’s parks walking paths along the shore bicycle lanes and play areas. Kent Meydanı and Kültür Park are among the most popular places for children to spend their time.

🐴 Traditional Games

In some villages around Elazığ traditional children’s games are still played such as hopscotch spinning tops and çayda çıra.

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🏰 The History of Elazığ

Elazığ is an ancient city. The earliest settlement was in Harput. Scientists have uncovered remains dating back to 2000 BCE.

Over time the region was inhabited by the following civilizations:

Hurrians and Mitanni

Urartians

Persians

Romans

Byzantines

Seljuks

Ottomans

Finally in 1834 the city of Mamuratü’l-Aziz was founded near Harput and gradually came to be known as Elazığ. The name Elazığ was officially adopted in 1921.

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📛 Where Does the Name “Elazığ” Come From?

During the Ottoman period the area was called “El-Aziz” meaning “city that provides sustenance”. In the Republican era this name evolved into Elazığ. Thus its meaning is “city of abundance and prosperity”.

📚 References

Elazığ Governorship. “History of Elazığ.” Accessed 16 May 2025. http://www.elazig.gov.tr/elazig-tarihi

Ministry of Culture and Tourism. “History of Elazığ.” Accessed 16 May 2025. https://elazig.ktb.gov.tr/TR-58505/tarihce.html

DHMİ. “City History of Elazığ.” Accessed 16 May 2025. https://www.dhmi.gov.tr/Sayfalar/Havalimani/Elazig/SehirTarihcesi.aspx

Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı Islamic Encyclopedia. “Elazığ.” Accessed 16 May 2025. https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/elazig