Photo: Memo erol (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 9 places to visit in the Hasankeyf district of Batman: Ilısu Dam Lake, Hasankeyf Ancient City and Hasankeyf Castle. Plan your trip to Hasankeyf with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Hasankeyf is a historic district of Batman province, lying on the two banks of the Tigris. Declared a natural conservation area in 1981, Hasankeyf saw its historic settlement submerged in May 2020 when the Ilısu Dam began to hold water.
The city, named Kifos after the Syriac word kifo (rock) because of its homes carved into rock, means “City of Caves”.
Archaeological finds from excavations at the Hasankeyf mound date from 12,000 years ago to 3,500 years ago. Captured by the Artuqids in 1102, Hasankeyf was the capital of the Artuqid principality between 1102 and 1232. In 1990, when Batman became a province, the district was attached to Batman.
Large-scale structures in the historic settlement, including the Artuqid Hammam, the Sultan Süleyman Koç Mosque, the İmam Abdullah Zawiya, the Er-Rızık Mosque and its minaret, and the Zeynel Abidin Tomb, were relocated.
Hasankeyf reached its most brilliant period when it was the capital of the Artuqid principality between 1102 and 1232. When the Ilısu Dam was decided upon and the historic settlement was to be submerged, a new settlement was established 3 km away. The absence of war and the passage of trade routes made Hasankeyf a cultural crossroads. Hasankeyf passed to Ottoman rule in 1515. Objects found in the excavations are displayed in the Hasankeyf Museum and the Batman Museum.
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Hasankeyf, on the banks of the Tigris River with a settlement history of 12,000 years, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Türkiye. Declared a natural conservation site in 1981, the ancient city bears traces of the Assyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Artuqid and Ottoman periods.
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Photo: Memo erol (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The castle on the rocky hill above the Tigris valley was built in the Artuqid period (12th century). Its rooms, cisterns and tunnels carved into the rock are open to visitors.
View on mapHistoric monuments moved from old Hasankeyf, which was submerged by the Ilısu Dam, are displayed in the new settlement area. The Zeynel Bey Tomb and the minaret of the Er-Rızk Mosque are among the structures successfully relocated.
View on mapHundreds of caves and rock tombs carved into the rocky slopes of the Tigris valley are evidence of thousands of years of settlement. Some of the caves were used as homes until recently.
View on mapLocated on a small hill. It is a zawiya belonging to İmam Abdullah, believed to be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, and a complex that developed around his tomb.
View on mapAmong the immovable cultural assets, it was moved to the Hasankeyf New Cultural Park Area between 2017 and 2019 and reinstalled there.
View on mapLocated in the new settlement area of Hasankeyf in Batman. It houses cultural artefacts from rescue excavations carried out in areas affected by the Ilısu Dam.
View on mapWhile you are in Hasankeyf, you can also see the highlights of Batman province. These places are in other districts.
Finely minced lamb kneaded with bulgur and spices and then cooked. It is Hasankeyf's best-known local flavour.
Freshwater fish from the Tigris, served grilled or baked in a tandoor. Şabut (shad) and bıyıklı balık (barbel) are the most popular species.
A stuffing of rice, minced meat and spices is placed inside lamb ribs and baked in the oven. It is one of the special flavours of southeastern Anatolian cuisine.
Hasankeyf is one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia and bears traces of Assyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Artuqid, Ayyubid and Ottoman civilisations. This multi-layered history has turned the district into an open-air museum.
The Ilısu Dam, which began filling in 2020, submerged much of old Hasankeyf. The relocation of historic monuments and the conservation work drew wide attention internationally.
The economy of Hasankeyf is based on tourism, agriculture and fishing. The historic fabric of the ancient city and the Ilısu Dam Lake generate tourism income. Vegetables, fruit and walnuts are grown in the Tigris valley. Fishing on the dam lake is developing as a new source of livelihood.
Hasankeyf is 37 km from Batman city centre. Travel is by road. Regular minibus services run from Batman. The nearest airport is Batman Airport (40 km).
The 9 main places in Hasankeyf are Ilısu Dam Lake, Hasankeyf Ancient City, Hasankeyf Castle, New Hasankeyf (Relocated Monuments), Rock Tombs and Caves, Zeynel Bey Tomb, İmam Abdullah Zawiya, Hasankeyf Museum and the Er-Rızk Mosque and Complex.
Hasankeyf Köftesi, Dicle Balığı and Kaburga Dolması are the flavours that stand out at Hasankeyf's tables.
Hasankeyf is known for Hasankeyf Mehina Sarımsağı and its 12,000-year settlement heritage. It is a protected designation of origin registered with TÜRKPATENT.
Hasankeyf is 37 km from Batman city centre. Travel is by road. Regular minibus services run from Batman. The nearest airport is Batman Airport (40 km).
Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.