Palu Historic Houses
Traditional stone houses in the district centre reflect the civil architecture of Eastern Anatolia. Designed to suit the climate of the region, they have thick stone walls and flat roofs.
View on map9 places to visit in the Palu district of Elazığ: Palu Castle, Murat River Valley and Palu Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Palu with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Palu is a district of Elazığ province in the Eastern Anatolia Region. The district was founded on the banks of the Murat River. Its history goes back to the 2000s BC, and it is one of the oldest settlement centres in the region. The district has 1 town (belde), 36 villages and 10 neighbourhoods.
History
The oldest known peoples in the region were the Hurrians, Hittites and Urartians. A stone inscription of the Urartian king Menuas has been found at Uratula, and from it we learn that Palu was called Sebitaruas. The Behistun Inscription, written between 522 and 486 BC, mentions the Kingdom of Sophene. With the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the region passed under Seljuk rule. On his return from the Eastern Campaign, Yavuz Sultan Selim granted the Palu region as a timar to Karacimşit Bey, one of his commanders.
Geography
The district covers 730 km² and its average elevation above sea level is 869 metres. It borders Arıcak and Alacakaya to the south, Kovancılar to the north, Bingöl city centre to the east, Genç to the south-east and Elazığ city centre to the west. 70 per cent of the towns and villages of the district are set on mountainous and rugged terrain. The highest point of the Akdağlar, which form part of the Eastern Taurus range, rises to 2,500 metres.
Climate
Palu lies in a continental climate zone, with an annual average temperature of around 13 °C. Rainfall generally occurs in spring and autumn. Since the construction of the Keban Dam, the climate of Palu and its surroundings has become noticeably milder.
Economy and Tourism
The mountainous nature of most of the district’s land has a negative effect on land-based agriculture. Among the places to visit and see in the district are Palu Castle, the cuneiform stone inscriptions of the Urartians and the historic mosques.
History and Culture
Palu’s history goes back to the 2000s BC, and it is one of the oldest settlement centres in the region. Palu served as the capital of the Kingdom of Sophene. The region passed under Seljuk rule with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The cuneiform stone inscription at Palu Castle provides information about the Urartian campaigns to the west.
Highlights
Palu has been an important settlement area of the region since ancient times, and finds dating to around 5000 BC exist. Palu Castle, built by the Urartian king Menuas, has a history of approximately 3,000 years.
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