Hasankeyf Castle and Old Town

Its story

Hasankeyf, on the banks of the Tigris, is an ancient settlement that grew from a Roman-Byzantine frontier fortress into the Artuqid capital (1102-1232), and then into an Ayyubid and Akkoyunlu center. When the Ilısu Dam began holding water, the lower town was submerged under the lake in 2020; the upper part of the castle rock, rising about 100 meters above the river, was preserved and now looks like an island-hill rising from the water. Closed since 2012, the upper castle reopened to visitors in December 2021 after its walking paths were cleared and information panels installed. On the rock are the remains of the Great Palace, the Small Palace and the Ulu Mosque, and hundreds of cave dwellings carved into the rock; restoration work has begun at the Great Palace. The castle and the Şaab (Şahap) Valley are illuminated at night; boat tours on the lake around the coves of the old town are also a popular way to see the rock from the water.

Period

From Roman-Byzantine to Ottoman

Admission

Check current visiting conditions

Getting there

From new Hasankeyf; it can also be seen on boat tours on the lake

Visit duration

2-3 hours

Trip purpose

• Photography
• Day trip
• Hiking

Location

37.71062, 41.40889

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