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7 places to visit in the Kiğı district of Bingöl: Kiğı Castle, Peri Çayı Valley and Kiğı Historic Stone Houses. Plan your trip to Kiğı with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The district’s elevation is 1,512 metres, and it is 75 kilometres from the provincial centre.

History

The historic settlement of Kiğı grew up around the castle that was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century. It became part of Ottoman territory during Yavuz Sultan Selim’s Persian campaign in 1514. In 1926 it was attached to Erzincan as a district, and in 1936, when Bingöl became a province, it was attached to Bingöl.

Administration

The district has 28 villages, 72 hamlets and 4 neighbourhood muhtarships.

History and Culture

The Kiğı Seyit Kasım Doğa Culture and Honey Festival has been held every year since 2009. According to one source, Kiğı Castle is thought to have a Byzantine-period structure. Kiğı was captured by the Russians in 1916 and was liberated from Russian occupation on 20 November of the same year. Kiğı was attached to Bingöl in 1936.

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Places to Visit in Kiğı

  • 3 Historic
  • 2 Religious
  • 2 Nature
Historic

Kiğı Castle

Overlooking the district centre from a rocky hill, Kiğı Castle was built in the Urartian period and used in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Parts of its walls and towers still stand.

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Nature

Peri Çayı Valley

The Peri Stream valley that runs through Kiğı, with deep canyons and green vegetation, is a focus for nature photographers. There are sections along the valley suitable for rafting.

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Historic

Kiğı Historic Stone Houses

Traditional stone houses in the district centre showcase local architectural traditions. With their thick stone walls and flat roofs, they reflect the village architecture of Eastern Anatolia.

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Religious

Balaban Bey (Piltan Bey) Mosque

A mosque known by the names of Balaban Bey and Piltan Bey.

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Religious

Kiğı Mosque

The Kiğı Mosque, said to have been commissioned by Pir Ali Bey in 1401–1402.

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Nature

Kiğı Plateau and Dağın Düzü Plateaus

Plateaus located in Kiğı district.

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Historic

Selenk Bridge

A historic bridge over the Perisuyu; it is listed among the historic sites of Kiğı.

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Places to Visit Around Bingöl Province

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While you are in Kiğı, you can also see the highlights of Bingöl province. These places are in other districts; Kiğı is about 80 km from the provincial centre.

  • Floating Islands Natural Monument — A crater lake in the village of Hazarşah in Solhan, 4.5 km from the Solhan–Bingöl road; on its water, more than 50 metres deep, three islands of soil bound together by plant roots drift slowly like rafts.
  • Bingöl Mountains — An extinct shield volcano rising to 3,193 metres and stretching 50–55 km, which gave the province its name because of its at least 72 lakes formed by Pleistocene glaciation.
  • Buban Fairy Chimneys — Columnar rock formations created by erosion, counted among Bingöl's main natural attractions.
  • Hesarek Ski Resort — On Mount Hesarek, 34 km from Bingöl centre and 45 km from the airport; with five pistes, the longest of them 1,600 metres, and drag-lift and chairlift lines, it offers a ski season of 4–5 months.
  • Kös Hot Springs — The province's best-known thermal springs, 18 km north-east of Bingöl.
  • Piltan (Balaban Bey) Mosque — A historic mosque built in Kiğı in 1402, in the Aq Qoyunlu period.

Practical Information for Visiting Kiğı

Suggested time
Half a day to 1 day
Best time to visit
Summer months
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Kiğı

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  • Çiğ Köfte (spiced bulgur dish)

    Prepared by kneading fine bulgur with spices, çiğ köfte is an indispensable delicacy at guest tables in Kiğı.

  • Kelecoş (dried bean, chickpea and bulgur dish)

    Prepared with dried beans, chickpeas and bulgur, kelecoş is one of Kiğı's traditional winter dishes.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kiğı

  • Historic Settlement

    Kiğı has been a place of settlement since ancient times. Because of its strategic location, it was an important settlement centre during the Urartian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods.

Local Products

  • Kiğı Honey — Flower honey obtained from the high mountain plateaus, the most valuable natural product of Kiğı.
  • Herb Cheese — Herb cheese made with wild herbs gathered on the plateaus, a traditional dairy product of Kiğı.

Economy

Kiğı's economy is based on livestock farming and agriculture. Small livestock farming is the district's main source of livelihood. Beekeeping and cereal production also contribute to the economy.

How to Get to Kiğı

Kiğı is 80 km from Bingöl city centre. Minibus services run from Bingöl. Because of the mountainous terrain, transport may become difficult in winter.

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Kiğı: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Kiğı?

The highlights of Kiğı are 7 places: Kiğı Castle, Peri Çayı Valley, Kiğı Historic Stone Houses, Balaban Bey (Piltan Bey) Mosque, Kiğı Mosque, Kiğı Plateau and Dağın Düzü Plateaus, and Selenk Bridge.

What is there to eat in Kiğı?

Çiğ Köfte and Kelecoş are the standout flavours on Kiğı's tables.

What is Kiğı famous for?

Kiğı is known for Kiğı Honey and its historic settlement. Flower honey obtained from the high mountain plateaus is the most valuable natural product of Kiğı.

How do I get to Kiğı?

Kiğı is 80 km from Bingöl city centre. Minibus services run from Bingöl. Because of the mountainous terrain, transport may become difficult in winter.

How much time should I allow for a trip to Kiğı?

Suggested visit length: half a day to 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months.

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