TR RU

6 places to visit in the Sivrice district of Elazığ: Lake Hazar, Lake Hazar Beaches and Sivrice Castle. Plan your trip to Sivrice with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Sivrice is a district of Elazığ on the shore of Lake Hazar.

History

The district was founded in February 1936, on Atatürk’s instructions, in Dedeyolu village. In 1938 it was moved to its present site on the shore of Lake Hazar. Between 1933 and 1940, more than 6,000 Turkish migrants brought from Romania, Yugoslavia and Russia were settled on the plains suitable for farming. On 24 January 2020 a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck, with its epicentre in Sivrice.

Geography

Sivrice is a district of Elazığ with considerable tourism potential. It is bordered by Maden to the east, Baskil to the west, Doğanyol to the south-west, Çüngüş to the south-east and Elazığ Merkez to the north. To the south-east rise Mount Hazarbaba, at 2,347 metres, and Mount Karaoğlan, at 2,171 metres.

Lake Hazar

Lake Hazar is a tectonic lake with crystal-clear water, public beaches and the Sunken City within it. It is a holiday and recreation centre for the people of the Eastern Anatolia Region. In recent years, picnic spots and tent camps have appeared in summer in Sivrice, an important tourism centre for neighbouring provinces.

Demographics

Sivrice is a new town founded in 1933–1938 to settle Balkan migrants. It was founded on Atatürk’s own instruction: “Establish a district here and make it the Yalova of the east.” 142 households from Silistre, then part of Romania, settled in the district centre, and in this way the district of Sivrice was established.

History and Culture

Sivrice is a new town founded between 1933 and 1938 to settle Balkan migrants. 142 households from Silistre settled in the district centre. The district’s name comes from Sivrice town in Silistre province, from which the migrants came. The earthquake of 24 January 2020 caused great destruction in the district, and rebuilding is continuing.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Sivrice

  • 1 Historic
  • 2 Nature
  • 1 Beach
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Other
Lake Hazar - Sivrice Photo: Şenol zümrüt (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Lake Hazar

A tectonic lake known for its crystal-clear water and its public beaches. It is an important tourism centre of the Eastern Anatolia Region.

View on map
Beach

Lake Hazar Beaches

Public beaches on the shore of Lake Hazar in Sivrice.

View on map
Historic

Sivrice Castle

Sivrice Castle, which overlooks Lake Hazar, is a historic structure dating back to the Urartian period. Used by different civilisations because of its strategic position, the castle offers an impressive view together with the lake.

View on map
Attraction

East Anatolian Fault Observation Point

Sivrice lies on the East Anatolian Fault. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake of 24 January 2020 occurred in the Pütürge segment of this fault line. The area is an important observation point for geological research.

View on map
Other

Sunken City

The Sunken City, said to lie within Lake Hazar.

View on map
Nature

Mount Hazarbaba

A mountain of 2,347 metres to the south-east of the district.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Elazığ Province

See all →

While you are in Sivrice, you can also see the highlights of Elazığ province. These places are in other districts; Sivrice is about 25 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 Sivrice

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Summer months (June–September)
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Sivrice

Food guide →

  • Hazar Gölü Balığı (Lake Hazar fish)

    Ide and carp caught in Lake Hazar are served grilled or pan-fried. In a district where freshwater fishing is important, eating fresh fish is a pleasant experience.

  • 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 Sivrice.

  • Tandır Ekmeği (clay-oven bread)

    Bread baked in a clay tandır oven, known for its thick, soft texture. It is still made by the traditional method in the villages of Sivrice.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Sivrice

  • Lakeside Life

    The way of life shaped on the shore of Lake Hazar forms the basis of Sivrice's cultural identity. Fishing, farming and daily life intertwined with the lake have continued for centuries.

  • 2020 Earthquake Memory

    The magnitude 6.8 earthquake of 24 January 2020, with its epicentre in Sivrice, affected the district. The reconstruction process after the earthquake has strengthened the spirit of solidarity among the district's people.

Local Products

  • Lake Hazar Fish — Ide and carp caught in Lake Hazar are among the district's important local products. Fishing continues as a traditional source of livelihood.
  • Kayısı (apricots) — Apricots grown in line with the district's climate are eaten fresh and dried. They are one of the important fruit products of Eastern Anatolia.

Economy

The economy of Sivrice is based on fishing, farming and tourism. Tourism facilities on the shore of Lake Hazar bring in income during the summer months. Agricultural land is limited, and livestock farming is an important source of livelihood. Reconstruction work after the 2020 earthquake is continuing.

How to Get to Sivrice

Sivrice is 25 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via Elazığ. Minibus services run to the district, which lies on the Elazığ–Diyarbakır highway.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Elazığ

Sivrice: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Sivrice?

The six highlights of Sivrice are: Lake Hazar, Lake Hazar Beaches, Sivrice Castle, East Anatolian Fault Observation Point, Sunken City and Mount Hazarbaba.

What should I eat in Sivrice?

Hazar Gölü Balığı, Harput Köftesi and Tandır Ekmeği are the standout dishes on Sivrice's tables.

What is Sivrice known for?

Sivrice is known for Lake Hazar Fish and its Lakeside Life. Ide and carp caught in Lake Hazar are among the district's important local products. Fishing continues as a traditional source of livelihood.

How do I get to Sivrice?

Sivrice is 25 km from Elazığ city centre. It is reached by road via Elazığ. Minibus services run to the district, which lies on the Elazığ–Diyarbakır highway.

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

Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Elazığ

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.