History and archaeology / Castle
Harput Castle (Süt Kalesi)
Merkez, Elazığ
A historic castle on the steep cliffs of the Harput plateau, dominating the Elazığ plain, with origins going back to the Urartians; also known as the 'Süt Kalesi' (Milk Castle).
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Its story
The castle rises southeast of Harput on a rock mass separated on three sides by deep cliffs; its first construction is attributed to the Urartian period in the 8th century BC. In the following centuries it came under Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Çubukoğulları, Artuqid, Seljuk and Akkoyunlu rule and, from 1516, Ottoman rule; it was an important administrative center under the Artuqid Bey Belek (Balak) Gazi. The legend that milk was added to its mortar because of a water shortage earned the castle the name 'Süt Kalesi' (Milk Castle). In the structure, consisting of an inner castle and outer walls, excavations carried out intermittently since 2005 have uncovered dungeons, living quarters and traces of the Ottoman neighborhood within the castle. Although most of the walls are ruined today, the wide view stretching to the Uluova plain and the city of Elazığ from the foot of the castle and around the excavation area is one of the most impressive moments of a Harput visit.
Key facts
- Period
- Urartian origin; Artuqid and Ottoman repairs
- Admission
- Open area (entry to the excavation area may be restricted)
- Getting there
- Harput, about 8 km from central Elazığ
- Visit duration
- 1 hour
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
Location
38.70343, 39.25764
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harput_Kalesi | https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/harput | https://goturkiye.com/elazig/10-vibes-for-elazig | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/97700117