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7 places to visit in the Karakoçan district of Elazığ: Bağin Castle, Golan Hot Springs and Kalecik Dam Lake. Plan your trip to Karakoçan with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Karakoçan is a district of Elazığ province and gained district status in 1936. According to the 2020 census results, its total population is 28,434, of whom 14,625 live in the centre.

History and Geography

The centre of Karakoçan has no settlement of particular historical importance, but many historically significant settlements are found in the nearby villages. Bağin Castle, built over the Peri Stream, is a historic castle 12 km from the district.

Tourism and Hot Springs

Golan Hot Springs is a hot spring about 27 km from the district, fed from the Yoğunağaç Cove. The water of Golan Hot Springs is 43 °C at the surface, but there are lukewarm and clean springs where the water is drinkable. Kalecik Dam Lake is a dam lake 3 km from the district, turned into a picnic area in the 1970s. In this district rich in natural beauty, thousands of people visit the Golan hot springs beside the Peri Stream every year for health reasons.

Festivals

The Honey Festival is held regularly every year in the district.

History and Culture

Many villages in the district have historic churches.

Key Facts

Karakoçan was founded in 1936 through the merger of the Ohi and Lahan (Başyurt) subdistricts of Palu district with the Çan subdistrict of Kiğı district in Bingöl. Karakoçan covers 1,085 km² and sits at an altitude of 1,090 m. The cuneiform inscriptions at Karakoçan (Bağın) and İzoli (Kuşsarayı) clearly show Urartian rule in the region.

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Places to Visit in Karakoçan

  • 1 Historic
  • 4 Nature
  • 2 Other
Historic

Bağin Castle

A historic castle built over the Peri Stream, 12 km from Karakoçan. Rooms and food storage cellars carved out of the rock are found inside.

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Other

Golan Hot Springs

A hot spring located about 27 km from Karakoçan district centre. Its mineral content makes it an important health centre for the region.

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Nature

Kalecik Dam Lake

A dam lake 3 km from the district, turned into a picnic area in the 1970s.

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Other

Hırsız Fountain

A picnic area in the forest near Hamurkesen village, which belongs to the district.

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Nature

Kalecik Dam Lake and Picnic Area

A dam lake 3 km from the district, built in the 1970s over the old village of Kalecik; it has been converted into a picnic area through landscaping.

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Nature

Hırsız Fountain Picnic Area

A picnic area in the forested land near Hamurkesen village, which belongs to the district.

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Nature

Beyaz Fountain Picnic Spot

One of the rest areas in the district centre that is popular with people during the summer months.

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Places to Visit Around Elazığ Province

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While you are in Karakoçan, you can also see the highlights of Elazığ province. These places are in other districts; Karakoçan is about 60 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 Karakoçan

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

What to Eat in Karakoçan

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  • Karakoçan Köftesi (meatballs with fine bulgur and minced meat)

    Meatballs made with fine bulgur and minced meat, cooked in a tomato sauce. The Karakoçan version of the Harput köfte tradition is the district's signature dish.

  • Tandır Kebabı (lamb baked in a clay oven)

    Prepared by slowly cooking lamb for hours in a clay tandır oven. Tandır kebab is prepared for special occasions in Karakoçan's villages and is the region's most loved dish.

  • Karakoçan Balı (Karakoçan honey)

    Honey obtained from the district's rich flora is an essential part of breakfast tables. Karakoçan honey is known in the region for its aroma and quality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Karakoçan

  • Life in the Peri Çayı Valley

    The way of life that has developed in the Peri Stream valley forms the basis of Karakoçan's cultural identity. Daily life, intertwined with farming, livestock and the river, has continued for centuries.

  • Plateau Culture

    In Karakoçan, the tradition of migrating to highland pastures continues in the summer months. Plateau festivals and traditional events keep local culture alive.

Local Products

  • Honey — Flower honey obtained from Karakoçan's rich vegetation is the district's most important local product. Honey produced with traditional beekeeping methods is known for its quality.
  • Animal Products — Milk, cheese and butter produced in the district, where small and large livestock farming is widespread, are prepared using traditional methods.

Economy

Karakoçan's economy is based on livestock farming, agriculture and beekeeping. Small and large livestock farming are the main sources of livelihood. Grain and fruit farming takes place in the Peri Stream valley. Beekeeping and honey production are an important source of income.

How to Get to Karakoçan

Karakoçan is 60 km from Elazığ city centre. It lies on the Elazığ-Bingöl highway and can be easily reached from both cities. There are minibus services from Elazığ.

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Karakoçan: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Karakoçan?

The 7 highlights in Karakoçan are Bağin Castle, Golan Hot Springs, Kalecik Dam Lake, Hırsız Fountain, Kalecik Dam Lake and Picnic Area, Hırsız Fountain Picnic Area and Beyaz Fountain Picnic Spot.

What is there to eat in Karakoçan?

Karakoçan Köftesi, Tandır Kebabı and Karakoçan Balı are the standout dishes on Karakoçan's tables.

What is Karakoçan famous for?

Karakoçan is known for its honey and the life of the Peri Stream valley. Flower honey obtained from the district's rich vegetation is its most important local product. Honey produced with traditional beekeeping methods is known for its quality.

How do I get to Karakoçan?

Karakoçan is 60 km from Elazığ city centre. It lies on the Elazığ-Bingöl highway and can be easily reached from both cities. There are minibus services from Elazığ.

How long should I spend in Karakoçan?

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

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