Harput / Mamuret-ül / Elazığ

Elazığ city is established in 19th century. Reşid Mehmet Pasha, taking Office as army marshal and expanded state governor in Harput in 1834, has managerial center of city moved into the place called Mezraa in the lowland in 5km. far from Harput, and has barracks and government building constructed. Thereupon, city is moved here. Name of city is Mezraa during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz in 1862 and it is changed as Elaziz and it is called Elazığ with a law, enacted in 1937 in Republic period. Harput is established in a place, which is dominating the lowland and easy to defend in 1280 m height in 5km. north of Elazığ. First settlement started in Harput since prehistoric ages and name of Harput passes as Harput as Harputa in Hittite cuneiform script documents. Hurrians dominate the region at the beginning of B.C. 1183, region is ruled firstly by Assyrians, then Urartians, and then Persians in B.C. 546, and it is also ruled respectively Macedonians, Seleucians, Sasanians, Romans and Byzantines. Harput is exposed to Arabian invasion in 7th Century. Harput remains under rule of Umayyad and Abbasid and then Artuqid for short period and remains under Seljuks rule for long period. It is exposed to Mongol invasion in 1243. Later on, Harput is ruled firstly by Dulkadiroğulları and Akkoyunlular period. The Virgin Mary church is situated in the east of castle. Old works in Harput belong to Artuqid Sultan Fahreddin Karaaslan in 1156. Esadiye (Aslanlı) Mosque, which is known to be constructed by Melik Esad in 12th Century, Alacalı Mosque, which is supposed to be constructed in Artuqid period in 1202-1204 and undergoes repair in Ottoman period, Sara Hatun Mosque, constructed by the order of Sara Hatun, who is mother of Akkoyunlu Sultan Uzun Hasan in 1463, Kurşunlu Mosque, constructed in Ottoman period in 1738 are among the important mosque structures in the city. Besides mosques, there are tombs and small mosques. 1185 dated Ahi Musa Small Mosque and Tomb, Mansur Baba Tomb, belonging to 12th  Century, 1279 dated Seljuks period Arap Baba Small Mosque and Tomb, Beşik Baba Tomb and ruinous baths are also some of the other old structures. Furthermore, Harput Museum, which is located in Harput, is one of the places, which are required to be visited. As current Elzaığ city is a new city, old structures are not seen here mostly. However, Archaeological and Ethnography Museumi in which rich arhaeological and ethnographic works are exhibited, are located in Elazığ city.

Turkey Tours