Things to Do in Arıcak: 4 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Arıcak

• 1 Religious
• 3 Nature

While you are in Arıcak, you can also see the highlights of Elazığ province. These places are in other districts; Arıcak is about 100 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 Arıcak

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

Places to visit

4 places

• 🍖

  Tandır Kebabı (clay-oven lamb)

  Prepared by slowly cooking lamb in a clay tandır oven for hours. Tandır kebab is prepared for special occasions in the villages of Arıcak and is the most beloved dish of the region.

• 🍲

  Kelecoş (lentil, bulgur and yoghurt soup)

  A traditional soup made with lentils, bulgur and yoghurt, one of the winter dishes of Eastern Anatolian cuisine. In Arıcak it is often eaten on cold winter days.

• 🍯

  Bal ve Kaymak (honey and clotted cream)

  Wildflower honey produced in Arıcak, which is thought to take its name from beekeeping, is an indispensable part of breakfast tables, served with fresh kaymak.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Arıcak

• 🐝

  Beekeeping Tradition

  The association of the district's name with beekeeping reflects the beekeeping tradition that has been practised in the region for centuries. Honey production is an important part of Arıcak's cultural and economic identity.

• 🏡

  Rural Life Tradition

  Traditional rural Eastern Anatolian life continues in the villages of Arıcak. A way of life based on livestock farming, beekeeping and agriculture is supported by social solidarity.

Local Products

• Wildflower Honey — Honey obtained from the rich wildflower flora of Arıcak is the district's most important local product. Honey produced by traditional beekeeping methods is known for its quality.
• Livestock Products — Milk, cheese and yoghurt produced in the district, where small livestock farming is widespread, are made using traditional methods.

Economy

The economy of Arıcak is based on livestock farming, beekeeping and limited agriculture. Small livestock farming is the main source of livelihood. Beekeeping and honey production bring extra income to the district. Because of the mountainous terrain, agricultural land is limited.

How to Get to Arıcak

Arıcak is 100 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via the Elazığ–Bingöl route. Minibus services run from Elazığ.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Elazığ

Arıcak: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Arıcak Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Elazığ The province's 13 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Elazığ

• Elazığ Central District 8 places Lake Hazar, Harput Castle and Harput Grand Mosque
• Ağın 7 places Keban Dam Lake Shore, Ağın Castle and Ağın Central Mosque
• Alacakaya 5 places Alacakaya Chrome Mine Area, Alacakaya Natural Scenery and Alacakaya Central Mosque
• Baskil 9 places Kara Leylek Canyon, Mar Ahron Monastery and Baskil Castle
• Karakoçan 7 places Bağin Castle, Golan Hot Springs and Kalecik Dam Lake
• Keban 7 places Keban Dam, Keban Castle and View of Lake Keban
• Kovancılar 6 places Kovancılar Vineyards, Kovancılar Plains and Kovancılar Merkez Mosque
• Maden 7 places Maden Copper Mine Area, Maden Stream Valley and Maden Central Mosque
• Palu 9 places Palu Castle, Murat River Valley and Palu Grand Mosque
• Sivrice 6 places Lake Hazar, Lake Hazar Beaches and Sivrice Castle