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9 places to visit in the Kozluk district of Batman: Kozluk Castle, Kozluk Hot Springs and Kozluk Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Kozluk with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Kozluk is a district of Batman province.

History

Kozluk, a settlement with a long history, was formerly called Hazo. Archaeological remains from around 8000–8600 BC, found in excavations at the Hallan Çemi Mound in Kozluk district, are displayed in the Diyarbakır Archaeology Museum. In 1938 the settlement took the name ‘Kozluk’ and became a district of Siirt. On 16 May 1990, when Batman became a province, it separated from Siirt and was attached to the new province.

Geography

The settlement lies 58 km from Batman city centre, on the E99 Diyarbakır–Bitlis highway.

History and Culture

Kozluk, a historic settlement, was formerly called Hazo. The remains from 8000–8600 BC excavated at the Hallan Çemi Mound in Kozluk are displayed in Diyarbakır. Kozluk separated from Siirt and was attached to Batman on 16 May 1990, when Batman became a province. Kozluk Castle was built in AD 416 as a religious centre for the Persian dynasty.

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Places to Visit in Kozluk

  • 3 Historic
  • 3 Religious
  • 2 Nature
  • 1 Attraction

Historic Sites 3

Historic

Kozluk Castle

The castle ruins on the hilltop above the district centre date from the Artuqid period. From the castle there is a panoramic view of the Kozluk plain and the surrounding mountains.

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Historic

Rabat Castle

A castle on a single rock formation north of Kozluk, near Yanıkkaya (Rabat) village.

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Historic

Kandil Castle

A castle on a hill north-west of Kozluk, south of Bölükkonak (Hergemo) village.

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Religious Buildings 3

Religious

Kozluk Grand Mosque

Built in the Ottoman period, the Grand Mosque is the oldest place of worship in the district centre. With its cut-stone walls and mihrab decorations, it is a simple example of local mosque architecture. The pen-work decorations on its mihrab and its wooden minbar are striking works of art.

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Religious

İbrahim Bey Mosque

This mosque in the centre of Kozluk was commissioned in 1705, according to the inscription above the door.

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Religious

Hızır Bey Mosque

A building in the centre of Kozluk, regarded as the largest mosque in the district.

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Natural Wonders 2

Nature

Kozluk Plain

The fertile Kozluk plain is a wide flatland of farmland surrounded by mountains. It offers a visually striking landscape of shades of green in the spring months.

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Nature

Ayngebire (Tosunpınar) Area

A wooded area with underground water sources, used as a summer holiday area.

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Attractions 1

Attraction

Kozluk Hot Springs

Natural thermal springs near the district, whose mineral waters are believed to help with rheumatism and skin conditions, are very popular with local people.

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Places to Visit Around Batman Province

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While you are in Kozluk, you can also see the highlights of Batman province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hasankeyf Upper Castle — A castle founded as a frontier fortress under the Roman emperor Constantius II (4th century) and furnished with palaces and mosques in the Artuqid and Ayyubid periods; because it stands above the dam water, it has been preserved and turned into an open-air museum.
  • Hasankeyf Culture Park — A park set up on the bank of the Tigris in New Hasankeyf; the Zeynel Bey Tomb, the minaret of the Er-Rızk Mosque, the Artuqid Hammam, the Sultan Süleyman and Koç mosques, the Imam Abdullah Zawiya and the Kızlar Mosque, all moved from their old sites before the Ilısu Dam, are displayed here.
  • Zeynel Bey Tomb — A cylindrical tomb built by the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan for his son Zeynel Bey, who died in the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473, the work of the Iranian architect Pir Hüseyin; with its turquoise-glazed brick decoration it is unique in Anatolia.
  • Hasankeyf Museum — A museum displaying about 4,000 items found in the Hasankeyf excavations, from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages and the Roman, Artuqid and Ottoman periods; it was fully opened to visitors in 2019 in New Hasankeyf.
  • Ilısu Dam Lake — The reservoir of the Ilısu Dam on the Tigris, which began to hold water in 2019 and started generating energy in 2020; boat tours are run in front of Hasankeyf and stand out for their sunset views.
  • Mount Raman — A mountain 1,288 metres high, very close to the centre of Batman; oil was found here in 1940 by the MTA (Mineral Research and Exploration Directorate) for the first time in Türkiye, changing the fate of the city.

Practical Information for Visiting Kozluk

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
9 places

What to Eat in Kozluk

Food guide →

  • Büryan Kebabı (pit-roasted lamb)

    Prepared by cooking lamb for hours in a tandoor pit, büryan kebabı is a traditional dish also widely eaten in Kozluk.

  • Bulgur Pilavı (bulgur pilaf)

    Made from fine bulgur, the pilaf is cooked with lamb stock. It is one of the staple dishes of Kozluk cuisine.

  • Perde Pilavı (rice wrapped in yufka)

    Rice wrapped in thin yufka dough and baked in an oven, enriched with chicken, almonds and raisins. It is the traditional dish of special occasions.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kozluk

  • Artuqid Heritage

    Kozluk was an important settlement during the Artuqid Principality. The castle and building remains from this period are part of the district's historical heritage.

  • Rural Way of Life

    Traditional farming and livestock culture is maintained in the rural areas of Kozluk. Harvest festivals and village weddings are living examples of this culture.

Local Products

  • Kozluk Tomatoes — Kozluk Tomatoes were registered as a protected geographical indication on 7 December 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1507). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Batman Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Tobacco — The Kozluk plain was once one of Türkiye's important tobacco-growing areas. Tobacco farming has declined, but it still holds an important place in the memory of local people.
  • Walnut — Walnuts grown in the gardens around the district are the traditional product of the area.

Economy

The Kozluk economy rests on farming and livestock. Grain, pulses and vegetables are produced on the fertile plain. Small livestock farming is the basic source of livelihood in rural areas. Efforts are being made to develop its potential for spa tourism.

How to Get to Kozluk

Kozluk is 55 km from Batman city centre. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from Batman. The nearest airport is Batman Airport (60 km).

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Kozluk: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Kozluk?

The top 9 sights in Kozluk are: Kozluk Castle, Kozluk Hot Springs, Kozluk Grand Mosque, Kozluk Plain, İbrahim Bey Mosque, Hızır Bey Mosque, Rabat Castle, Kandil Castle and Ayngebire (Tosunpınar) Area.

What is there to eat in Kozluk?

Büryan Kebabı, Bulgur Pilavı and Perde Pilavı are the standout dishes on Kozluk's tables.

What is Kozluk famous for?

Kozluk is known for Kozluk Tomatoes and its Artuqid Heritage. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Kozluk?

Kozluk is 55 km from Batman city centre. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from Batman. The nearest airport is Batman Airport (60 km).

How long should I set aside for a visit to Kozluk?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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