Photo: Earslaner2001 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 6 places to visit in the Eleşkirt district of Ağrı: Eleşkirt Plain, Eleşkirt Castle and Tahir Pass. Plan your trip to Eleşkirt with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Eleşkirt is a district of Ağrı province; it covers 1,307 km² and sits at an elevation of 1,809 m. The district covers 1,307 km². The average elevation of Eleşkirt district above sea level is 1,816 metres.
In old Armenian sources the name Eleşkirt appears as Alaşkert. In Ottoman sources, the district centre is referred to as Aleşkerd.
When the European E-road E80 passed through Eleşkirt, the district centre was moved here.
The food culture of Eleşkirt, formed from a blend of rich cultures, is quite rich; its basic ingredients are meat, local spices, offal, butter and bulgur. Gırar, a type of ayran soup, is made differently in Eleşkirt and is enriched with local spices. Eleşkirt is also famous for its braided cheese called çiçal; its most famous dishes are keşkek, gırar and cılbır.
Until the 1920s, the majority of the population was Armenian, and the rest was made up of other peoples. Today, after the Armenian deportation, the majority of the population is Kurdish.
Toprakkale had a settlement with an Urartian castle and walls. It is said that the district centre was on the Toprakkale side until 1926. The district centre was moved here when the E80 road passed through Eleşkirt. Until the 1920s, the majority of the region’s population was Armenian. There are many dengbej in Eleşkirt who keep this culture alive. The well-known folk song “Konma bülbül Konma” is named after Eleşkirt.
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Photo: Earslaner2001 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source Stretching along the western foothills of Ağrı Mountain, the Eleşkirt Plain is one of Türkiye's highest plains, at an elevation of 1,800 metres. Its wide meadows and colourful flower cover in the summer months make it an ideal landscape for nature photographers.
View on mapThis castle on a hill near the district centre played a strategic role in defending the eastern border in the Ottoman period. The remains of the castle offer a panoramic view of the Eleşkirt Plain.
View on mapThe Tahir Pass, which connects Eleşkirt to the Ağrı provincial centre, is an impressive mountain pass at an elevation of 2,200 metres that is covered with snow in the winter months. In summer, the plateaus and flowering areas around it offer a unique natural experience.
View on mapThe Murat River, the largest tributary of the Euphrates, passes near Eleşkirt. The green areas along the river valley are suitable places for picnics and nature walks.
View on mapBuilt in the Ottoman period, this mosque is the oldest religious building in Eleşkirt. It has regional architectural features in its stonework and minaret.
View on mapA mosque in Toprakkale village, built by Mirza Bey in 1687; it is still open for worship.
View on mapWhile you are in Eleşkirt, you can also see the highlights of Ağrı province. These places are in other districts.
The signature flavour of the Ağrı region, Abdigör köftesi is prepared by kneading lean minced beef with special spices and then boiling it. It is served with a sauce of browned butter and tomato paste.
Made with hand-cut noodles, lentils and yoghurt, this soup is the favourite dish of Eleşkirt's cold winter days.
Baked in a clay tandoor oven, this traditional bread is an indispensable part of the village tables in Eleşkirt. It is eaten with fresh butter and honey.
Kavut, made by mixing roasted wheat flour with butter and sugar, is one of Eleşkirt's traditional desserts. It is eaten as an energy source, especially in the winter months.
Eleşkirt's most famous dishes; the braided cheese called çiçal is also well known.
Milk bread, soups, mantı, katmer and bişi and other dishes belonging to the Meskhetian Turks living in the region.
The tradition of migrating to the plateaus in the summer months is still maintained in the mountain villages of Eleşkirt. This seasonal migration is an important part of the cultural identity of the region.
Eleşkirt was a strategic border region in the Ottoman–Russian and Ottoman–Iranian wars. This history has left deep traces in the cultural memory of the district.
Kilim weaving and wool craftsmanship are maintained in Eleşkirt as traditional handicrafts. Kilims woven with local motifs reflect the cultural richness of the region.
The economy of Eleşkirt is largely based on livestock farming. Small and large livestock farming is the district's main livelihood. Limited farming is carried out on the Eleşkirt Plain, and because of the high elevation, barley and forage crops are grown. Beekeeping is also a developing sector. The migration of young people to large cities is an important factor affecting the district's economy.
Eleşkirt is 50 km from Ağrı city centre and is reached by road. Located on the Ağrı-Erzurum road, the district has regular minibus services from Ağrı. The nearest airport is Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Airport (60 km).
The 6 highlights of Eleşkirt are: Eleşkirt Plain, Eleşkirt Castle, Tahir Pass, Murat River Valley, Eleşkirt Grand Mosque and Toprakkale Mosque.
Abdigör Köftesi, Kesme Aşı, Tandır Ekmeği and Kavut are the flavours that stand out at Eleşkirt's tables.
Eleşkirt is known for honey and the Plateau Migration Tradition. The flower honey collected on Eleşkirt's high plateaus is the most valuable natural product of the region.
Eleşkirt is 50 km from Ağrı city centre and is reached by road. Located on the Ağrı-Erzurum road, the district has regular minibus services from Ağrı. The nearest airport is Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Airport (60 km).
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: June–September.