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7 places to visit in the Ağın district of Elazığ: Keban Dam Lake Shore, Ağın Castle and Ağın Central Mosque. Plan your trip to Ağın with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Ağın is one of the 11 districts of Elazığ province and is the smallest district of Elazığ in both population and area. It is famous for Ağın leblebisi (roasted chickpeas).

History

The history of Ağın is said to go back to the Hurrians, who settled in the region in the 17th–16th centuries BC. After the Turks entered Anatolia in 1071, the area remained under the rule of the Artuqids from 1115 to 1234; it became part of Ottoman territory after the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514. While it was a subdistrict of Keban in Elazığ, Ağın became a district in 1954.

Geography

Ağın lies in the northwest of Elazığ province, 77 km from the provincial centre. The district is settled between Hekemat Hill to the north, Osman Hill to the south and the Aliuşağı Hills to the west. With the formation of Lake Keban Dam, a notable softening of the district’s typical continental Eastern climate has been observed.

History and Culture

According to the district governorship’s website, the history of the district goes back to the Hurrians, who settled in the region in the 16th–14th centuries BC. According to the district governorship’s website, the Romans kept the region under their control by establishing castle outposts. Ağın came under Ottoman rule in 1514, during Yavuz Sultan Selim’s eastern campaign. In 1954, by Law no. 6324, Ağın became the 7th district of Elazığ. It is believed that Hastek Castle was built around 1018 against Turkmen raids. During the rescue excavations carried out because of the Keban Dam, many works have been found spanning from the Palaeolithic to the Byzantine period.

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Places to Visit in Ağın

  • 4 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Nature
Keban Baraj Gölü Kıyısı - Ağın Photo: Zeynep Kılınç (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Keban Dam Lake Shore

The shore of Lake Keban Dam, east of Ağın district, has brought a notable softening to the district's climate.

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Historic

Ağın Castle

Historic castle remains near the district, which preserve traces of the region's old settlements. The castle, used in different periods because of its strategic location, is notable for its views over the Euphrates valley.

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Religious

Ağın Central Mosque

The mosque in the district centre reflects the mosque tradition of Eastern Anatolia with its simple architectural style. It is the centre of the district's religious and social life.

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Historic

Hastek Castle

A castle carved into the cliffs that drop steeply down to Lake Keban Dam, within the boundaries of Yenipayam village. Today it can only be visited by boat on the lake.

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Nature

Kup Pit

A pit in Şenpınar Neighbourhood, about 5 km from the district centre. Locally it is believed to have been formed by a meteorite impact.

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Historic

Bademli Village Rock Tombs

Rock tombs within the boundaries of Bademli village, at the locations of Kesmece, Kombaşı, Ören and Seki, determined to date from the Roman period.

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Historic

Çıldırın Mound

A mound west of Yenipayam village.

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Places to Visit Around Elazığ Province

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While you are in Ağın, you can also see the highlights of Elazığ province. These places are in other districts; Ağın is about 75 km from the provincial centre.

  • Harput Castle (Milk Castle) — A castle founded by the Urartians in the 8th century BC, made up of an inner and an outer fortress.
  • Harput — A historic town on a plateau at 1,450 metres, 8 km north of Elazığ city centre; with its mosques, churches, tombs and mansions from the Urartian to the Ottoman period, it is an open-air museum.
  • Harput Grand Mosque — Built in 1156–1157 by the Artuqid ruler Fahrettin Karaaslan, this is one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia.
  • Meryem Ana Church (Church of the Virgin Mary) — A Syriac church built under a block of rock east of Harput Castle and dated AD 179 by its inscription.
  • Sarahatun Mosque — A mosque built in 1465 by the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan in the name of his mother, Sara Hatun; it stands in Harput's Sara Hatun neighbourhood, from which Harput takes its name.
  • Kurşunlu Mosque — A mosque built in 1739 by Osman Ağa, the bey of Çarsancak.

Practical Information for Visiting Ağın

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer months
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Ağın

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  • Keban Balığı (Keban fish)

    Carp and trout caught in Lake Keban Dam, served grilled or pan-fried. Because Ağın lies on the lakeshore, eating fresh fish is an important experience.

  • Tandır Kebabı

    Prepared by slowly cooking lamb for hours in a clay tandoor oven. Tandır kebabı, prepared on special occasions in Ağın's villages, is the region's most beloved dish.

  • Bulgur Pilavı

    A pilaf made with fine or coarse bulgur, cooked with butter and tomato paste. It is a staple of Eastern Anatolian cuisine and is served alongside meat dishes.

  • Ağın leblebisi (Ağın roasted chickpeas)

    Chickpeas harvested from the fields are boiled at home with oak ash, then roasted in sand typical of the area over a wood fire. It has a geographical indication registration.

  • Ağın Bademi (Ağın almonds)

    Ağın Bademi is a type of almond among the local dried fruit and nut varieties.

  • Gurutlu Çorba (gurut soup)

    Gurutlu çorba is a soup once common in Ağın, made with gurut, which is dried çökelek (curd).

  • Katmer

    Katmer is a layered bread commonly baked in Ağın.

  • Kömbe

    Kömbe is a type of bread commonly baked in Ağın.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Ağın

  • Euphrates Valley Life

    Ağın has been a settlement in the Euphrates river valley for centuries. The geography changed with the construction of the Keban Dam, and this has also transformed the way of life of the district's residents.

  • Rural Solidarity

    Ağın's small community structure brings strong neighbourly relations and social solidarity. The tradition of imece (communal work) and mutual aid is still maintained.

Local Products

  • Ağın Leblebisi (Ağın roasted chickpeas) — Ağın Leblebisi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 5 December 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 259). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Ağın District Governorship Village Services Association.
  • Dam Lake Fish — Fish caught in Lake Keban Dam are among Ağın's important local products. Fishing continues as a traditional source of livelihood.
  • Animal Products — Milk, cheese and yoghurt produced in the district, where small livestock farming is widespread, are prepared using traditional methods.

Economy

The economy of Ağın is based on livestock farming, fishing and limited agriculture. Fishing on the shore of Lake Keban Dam is an important source of livelihood. Small livestock farming and agriculture are other economic activities.

How to Get to Ağın

Ağın is 75 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via Elazığ–Keban. Minibus services run from Elazığ.

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Ağın: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to see in Ağın?

The highlights of Ağın are 7 places: Keban Dam Lake Shore, Ağın Castle, Ağın Central Mosque, Hastek Castle, Kup Pit, Bademli Village Rock Tombs and Çıldırın Mound.

What should I eat in Ağın?

Keban Balığı, Tandır Kebabı, Bulgur Pilavı and Ağın leblebisi are the standout dishes on Ağın's tables.

What is Ağın famous for?

Ağın is known for Ağın Leblebisi and Euphrates Valley Life. Ağın Leblebisi is a product registered as a protected designation of origin with TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Ağın?

Ağın is 75 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via Elazığ–Keban. Minibus services run from Elazığ.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Ağın?

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

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