Kovancılar Vineyards
Kovancılar is one of Elazığ's most important grape-producing centres. The vineyards, where Öküzgözü and Boğazkere grape varieties are grown, come alive in autumn with the grape harvest (bağ bozumu) festivities.
View on map6 places to visit in the Kovancılar district of Elazığ: Kovancılar Vineyards, Kovancılar Plains and Kovancılar Merkez Mosque. Plan your trip to Kovancılar with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Kovancılar is a district of Elazığ province. Located on the Bingöl-Elazığ highway, the district is set on a flat, wide plain. There are 76 villages in the district. The district covers an area of 960 km².
History
As part of the population exchange between Romania and Türkiye in 1934, 300 Turkish families were relocated from Romania to Elazığ province. In 1935, the state built 300 houses in the local style and settled the migrant group here. The migrants named the village after their former villages in Romania. A municipal administration was established in 1968, and on 19 June 1987 Kovancılar gained district status.
Geography
Kovancılar lies at the 67th kilometre of the Elazığ-Bingöl highway, on the banks of the Euphrates at the foot of Şahmiran Mountain. Its average elevation is 962 metres above sea level. To the north lies Tunceli, to the east the district of Karakoçan, to the south the district of Palu, and to the west the Keban Dam Lake. As the area is within the Taurus Mountain range, it falls within a first-degree earthquake zone.
Climate
The district has a mild version of a continental climate. A significant moderation of the climate has been observed since the dam was built. Average annual rainfall is around 500-600 millimetres.
Economy
85 per cent of the district’s population is engaged in farming and livestock rearing. Industrial crops and commercial products such as tomatoes, peppers and onions are important. The region is dominated by Mor Karaman sheep, with small numbers of İvesi and Ak Karaman sheep also raised.
History and Culture
A group of 300 households of Turkish origin from Romania was resettled in Elazığ province in 1934 under the population exchange agreement between Romania and Türkiye. The district’s first settlement plan was prepared in 1935 and became a model settlement in Elazığ province. According to the district governorship’s history, Kovancılar gained district status by Law no. 3392 dated 19 June 1987. According to the governorship, the district was previously a small village at Kapıaçmaz, 8 km north of Palu district. The most important cultural assets of the district include Çakırkaş (Hoşmat) Church, Ekinözü Fountain and İbrahim Bey Palace.
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