Photo: Mehmetkrckrc (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 8 places to visit in the Ahlat district of Bitlis: Ahlat Seljuk Meydan Cemetery, Ahlat Castle and Çifte Kümbetler (twin tomb towers). Plan your trip to Ahlat with local food, practical tips and transport information.
In the Seljuk era Ahlat served as the capital of the Ahlatşahs Principality. It is an Oghuz–Turkmen city and, for the Ottomans, a city inherited from the ancestors. Just before the Battle of Malazgirt, on Alp Arslan’s orders, the Seljuk and Turkmen begs completed their preparations in Ahlat and launched campaigns of conquest in eastern and central Anatolia. The Ahlat Seljuk Meydan Cemetery is the largest Muslim cemetery in the world.
To the north of the district lie the Bulanık and Malazgirt districts of Muş province; to the west are Güroymak and Muş province; and to the south lies Lake Van.
The tradition of cane-making remains an important cultural and artistic activity today. Ahlat was the capital of the Ahlatşahs Principality in the Seljuk era, an Oghuz–Turkmen city. Ahlat’s history goes back to around 900 BC. The Urartian and Ottoman Old Settlement Tombstones were inscribed on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage in 2000.
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Photo: Mehmetkrckrc (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world, the Ahlat Seljuk Meydan Cemetery covers an area of 210 dönüm and contains more than 8,200 tombstones. Monumental tombstones dating from the 12th–15th centuries are the most magnificent examples of Seljuk stonework.
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Photo: Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source Ahlat Castle, on the shore of Lake Van, was built in the Urartian period and expanded in the Seljuk period. Its walls and towers are partly standing and offer views of the lake.
View on mapSeljuk-period kümbets dating from the 13th century are among Ahlat's most important architectural works. With their geometric decoration and stonework, they are outstanding examples of Seljuk funerary architecture.
View on mapA historic cemetery known for its tombstones from the Seljuk period. According to Wikipedia, it is the largest Muslim cemetery in the world.
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Photo: EvgenyGenkin (CC BY 2.5) · Source At 4,058 metres, Süphan Mountain is Türkiye's third-highest mountain and lies north of Ahlat. Popular for mountaineering, trekking and winter sports, Süphan offers a magnificent view together with Lake Van.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source Ahlat Museum displays archaeological finds from the Seljuk period, fragments of tombstones and ethnographic objects. It is an important stop for understanding Ahlat's rich history.
View on mapWhile you are in Ahlat, you can also see the highlights of Bitlis province. These places are in other districts; Ahlat is about 50 km from the provincial centre.
Prepared by slow-cooking lamb in an earth tandır, büryan kebabı is Ahlat's best-known dish.
Made by kneading fine bulgur with spices, çiğ köfte is an indispensable dish on guest tables in Ahlat.
Made with wild herbs gathered from the highland pastures, otlu peynir is indispensable on Ahlat's breakfast tables. It is eaten after months of maturing.
The Battle of Malazgirt, fought in the nearby region in 1071, marked the beginning of the Turkification of Anatolia. In this period Ahlat was one of the first settlement centres of the Seljuk Turks in Anatolia.
Ahlat contains some of the richest examples of Seljuk stonework. The geometric and floral motifs on the tombstones represent the peak of Seljuk art.
Ahlat's economy consists of agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. Grain and fruit are grown on the shore of Lake Van. Cultural and nature tourism is developing thanks to the Seljuk Meydan Cemetery and Süphan Mountain. Ahlat stone quarrying also contributes to the economy.
Ahlat is 50 km from Bitlis provincial centre and 25 km from Tatvan. It is 50 km from Bitlis–Muş Airport. Intercity bus services run.
The 8 leading places in Ahlat: Ahlat Seljuk Meydan Cemetery, Ahlat Castle, Çifte Kümbetler, Süphan Mountain, Ahlat Museum, Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, Emir Bayındır Tomb and Nemrut.
Büryan Kebabı, Çiğ Köfte and Otlu Peynir are the standout dishes on Ahlat's tables.
Ahlat is known for Ahlat Bastonu and the Legacy of the Battle of Malazgirt. Ahlat Bastonu is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.
Ahlat is 50 km from Bitlis provincial centre and 25 km from Tatvan. It is 50 km from Bitlis–Muş Airport. Intercity bus services run.
Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).