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7 places to visit in the Maden district of Elazığ: Maden Copper Mine Area, Maden Stream Valley and Maden Central Mosque. Plan your trip to Maden with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Maden lies on the banks of the Maden Stream, at the foot of Mount Mihrap. It is a district of Elazığ with a population of 10,329. Rich in underground resources, Maden is one of Türkiye’s most valuable mining basins. The history of the district goes back to around 2000 BC.

History

The copper deposits of the Maden district may have been discovered by the Assyrians some 2,000 years before Christ. According to research by British scientists, humans first found copper between the Euphrates and Tigris valleys around 7,000–8,000 BC. Copper between the Euphrates and Tigris was found and worked nowhere else but in the Maden district. In 1515 Maden was annexed to Ottoman territory by Sultan Yavuz Selim.

Geography

The district covers 819 km² and has an average elevation of 1,020 metres above sea level. A town (Gezin) and 37 villages are attached to the district. Maden is the main land of the Tigris River, and the source of the Tigris lies in Lake Hazar and the Maden Stream.

Economy

The biggest role in the economy of Maden has been played by the Ergani Copper Works, transferred to Etibank in 1936, and it continues to play that role. It is estimated that around 7,500 people work in agriculture.

History and Culture

Maden was a province between 1924 and 1927, one of Türkiye’s first provinces. Maden was annexed to the Ottoman lands by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1515. The transfer of the Ergani Copper Works to Etibank in 1936 accelerated the development of the district.

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Places to Visit in Maden

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Other
Maden Copper Mine Area - Maden Photo: Klaus-Peter Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
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Maden Copper Mine Area

The area where the copper mine operation is located. The Ergani Copper Works, operated by Etibank from 1936, is located here.

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Nature

Maden Stream Valley

The valley area of the Maden Stream, which flows along the edge of the district.

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Religious

Maden Central Mosque

The mosque in the district centre has Ottoman-period architectural features. Notable for its stonework, it is the centre of the district's religious and social life.

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Historic

Maden Historic Houses

Traditional stone houses in the district centre reflect the civil architecture of Eastern Anatolia. Homes dating from the mining era bear traces of the region's industrial past.

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Historic

Maden Clock Tower

Built during the reign of Abdülhamid II, it is the first and oldest clock tower in the region.

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Nature

Mount Mihrap

Located on the slopes of the valley where the district was founded, at the foot of Mount Mihrap.

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Nature

Gezin Plain

A largely bare plain east of Lake Hazar.

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Places to Visit Around Elazığ Province

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While you are in Maden, you can also see the highlights of Elazığ province. These places are in other districts; Maden is about 80 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 Maden

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

What to Eat in Maden

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  • 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 Maden and is the most beloved dish of the region.

  • Harput Köftesi (bulgur and mince meatballs)

    Made with fine bulgur and minced meat, Harput köftesi is cooked in water with a tomato sauce. A traditional dish of the Elazığ region, it is never missing from tables in Maden.

  • Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

    A traditional soup made with yoghurt, bulgur and mint, one of the winter dishes of Eastern Anatolia. In Maden it is often eaten on cold winter days.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Maden

  • Mining Heritage

    The district takes its name from the copper mines worked since the Ottoman period. The mining tradition is the basic element that shapes Maden's economic and cultural identity.

  • Copper Working Tradition

    The art of copper working, which developed alongside copper mining, forms the basis of Maden's traditional crafts. Handmade copper products are part of the district's cultural heritage.

Local Products

  • Copper Working — Maden's copper mining tradition has brought with it the working of copper. Handmade copper vessels and decorative objects are among the district's traditional crafts.
  • Livestock Products — Milk, cheese and butter produced in the district, where small livestock farming is widespread, are made using traditional methods.

Economy

The economy of Maden is based on mining, livestock farming and agriculture. The copper deposits that gave the district its name have historically been its main area of economic activity. Small livestock farming and limited agriculture are its other sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Maden

Maden is 80 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via the Elazığ–Ergani route. Minibus services run from Elazığ.

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Maden: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Maden?

The seven highlights of Maden are: Maden Copper Mine Area, Maden Stream Valley, Maden Central Mosque, Maden Historic Houses, Maden Clock Tower, Mount Mihrap and Gezin Plain.

What should I eat in Maden?

Tandır Kebabı, Harput Köftesi and Ayran Aşı are the standout dishes on Maden's tables.

What is Maden known for?

Maden is known for its Copper Working and its Mining Heritage. Maden's copper mining tradition has brought with it the working of copper. Handmade copper vessels and decorative objects are among the district's traditional crafts.

How do I get to Maden?

Maden is 80 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via the Elazığ–Ergani route. Minibus services run from Elazığ.

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

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

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