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5 places to visit in the Karakoyunlu district of Iğdır: Karakoyunlu Mound, Bulakbaşı Fountain and View of the Western Slope of Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı Batı Yamacı Manzarası). Plan your trip to Karakoyunlu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Karakoyunlu is the least populous district of Iğdır province and covers an area of 269 km². The district centre stands at an average elevation of 848 metres above sea level.

Geography

The district’s territory consists of extensions of Mount Ararat, the stony and rocky heights known as Kire, and the Korhan Plateau at the foot of Mount Ararat. The plains are covered by lava and tuff basalts from Mount Ararat, and overlaid with alluvium carried by the Aras River. The Aras River, which rises in the Bingöl Mountains, and the Karasu Stream, which rises at Bulakbaşı and İslamköy, irrigate the district’s lands. Karakoyunlu lies 15 km from Iğdır city centre.

History

Finds in Karakoyunlu and its surroundings show that the first settlement began during the Urartian period, between 900 and 600 BC. After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, some Turkmen tribes settled in the region. In 1380, the Karakoyunlu State took control of the area, and the district most likely takes its name from this state. Ram- and sheep-headed gravestones found in the cemeteries of the district centre and its villages have been shown to date from the Karakoyunlu period. Karakoyunlu gained its status as a district of Iğdır by Law No. 3806, published in the Official Gazette No. 21247 dated 3 June 1992.

Climate and Economy

The district’s economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Crops grown include wheat, barley, rice, sugar beet, forage plants, potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, peanuts, chickpeas and lentils.

History and Culture

The first settlement began during the Urartian period, between 900 and 600 BC. In 1380, the Karakoyunlu State took over the region; the district’s name probably comes from this state. In 1878, the region was ceded to Russia under the Treaty of San Stefano. Ram-headed gravestones were erected over the graves of brave young people who died. Forces under General Kâzım Karabekir liberated the region from occupation on 14 November 1920.

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Places to Visit in Karakoyunlu

  • 1 Ancient City
  • 1 Museum
  • 3 Nature
Ancient City

Karakoyunlu Mound

Finds from the Urartian period that show the first traces of settlement in Karakoyunlu and its surroundings.

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Nature

Bulakbaşı Fountain

The Karasu Stream, which rises at Bulakbaşı, irrigates the district's lands.

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Nature

View of the Western Slope of Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı Batı Yamacı Manzarası)

The slopes of Greater Ararat Mountain (Büyük Ağrı Dağı), which forms the south of the district, facing Iğdır.

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Museum

Karakoyunlu Ram-Headed Open-Air Museum

An open-air museum in Karakoyunlu displaying ram-headed gravestones.

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Nature

Korhan Plateau

Korhan Plateau, located within the district at the foot of Mount Ararat.

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Places to Visit Around Iğdır Province

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While you are in Karakoyunlu, you can also see the highlights of Iğdır province. These places are in other districts; Karakoyunlu is about 15 km from the provincial centre.

  • Mount Ağrı (Mount Ararat) — At 5,137 metres, the highest mountain in Türkiye; about two-thirds of its area lies within Iğdır, and its northern face is visible from the provincial centre.
  • Iğdır Plain (Sürmeli Çukuru) — A tectonic basin plain stretching along the Aras River at an altitude of about 850 metres.
  • Memorial and Museum of Turks Martyred by Armenians — A memorial and museum in the centre of Iğdır commemorating the attacks on Turks in the region in 1915–1920. The memorial, made up of five sword-shaped pillars 43.5 metres high, is the tallest monument in Türkiye.
  • Tuzluca Salt Galleries — Galleries in the rock-salt deposits that have been worked at Tuzluca for centuries; the cool galleries between the salt walls are also visited because they are thought to help with respiratory complaints.
  • Dilucu Border Gate and Bridge of Hope — The border gate in the Aralık district, opened in 1992, which links Türkiye to Nakhchivan across the Bridge of Hope over the Aras River; it is the only land border crossing between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
  • Aras River Valley — The valley in which the Aras, which forms the border with Armenia, waters the Iğdır Plain; its wetlands are rich in bird species.

Practical Information for Visiting Karakoyunlu

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (May–September)
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Karakoyunlu

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  • Haşıl

    Haşıl, a thick dish made from flour and water, is served with butter and grape molasses. It is a traditional favourite that frequently appears on Karakoyunlu's winter tables.

  • Tandır Ekmeği

    Traditional bread baked in a clay tandır oven, still made the old way in Karakoyunlu's villages. Served warm for breakfast with butter and honey.

  • Kelle Paça Çorbası

    This soup is prepared by simmering sheep's head and trotters for a long time, and is served with garlic vinegar. It is an indispensable breakfast soup on cold winter mornings.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Karakoyunlu

  • Legacy of the Karakoyunlu State (Karakoyunlu Devleti Mirası)

    The district takes its name from the Karakoyunlu State, which ruled the region in the 14th and 15th centuries. This Turkmen state became a significant political power in Eastern Anatolia and Azerbaijan and shaped the region's cultural identity.

  • Highland Pastoralism Tradition (Yaylacılık Geleneği)

    In the summer months, the people of Karakoyunlu take their flocks up to the high plateaus. This nomadic tradition forms the basis of the region's livestock culture and is passed down from generation to generation.

Local Products

  • Karakoyunlu Honey — Flower honey collected on the district's plateaus, known for being natural and unadulterated. Honey made especially from thyme and alfalfa flowers is produced in the area using traditional methods.
  • Local Cheese Varieties — In Karakoyunlu, herb cheese and tulum cheese are made from sheep's and goat's milk, and left in brine for a long time to mature.

Economy

The economy of Karakoyunlu is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Apricots, sugar beet and cereals are grown on the fertile lands of the Iğdır Plain. Small livestock farming is an important source of livelihood. Thanks to its proximity to Iğdır city centre, the district maintains its commercial links.

How to Get to Karakoyunlu

Karakoyunlu is 15 km from Iğdır city centre. It is about 25 km from Iğdır Airport. The district is reached by minibus and dolmuş. The Kars–Iğdır road passes through the district.

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Karakoyunlu: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Karakoyunlu?

The main sights in Karakoyunlu are: Karakoyunlu Mound, Bulakbaşı Fountain, the View of the Western Slope of Mount Ararat, Karakoyunlu Ram-Headed Open-Air Museum and Korhan Plateau.

What is there to eat in Karakoyunlu?

Haşıl, Tandır Ekmeği and Kelle Paça Çorbası are the standout dishes on Karakoyunlu's tables.

What is Karakoyunlu famous for?

Karakoyunlu is known for its Karakoyunlu Honey and the Legacy of the Karakoyunlu State. Flower honey collected on the district's plateaus is known for being natural and unadulterated. Honey made especially from thyme and alfalfa flowers is produced in the area using traditional methods.

How do I get to Karakoyunlu?

Karakoyunlu is 15 km from Iğdır city centre. It is about 25 km from Iğdır Airport. The district is reached by minibus and dolmuş. The Kars–Iğdır road passes through the district.

How long should I set aside for a visit to Karakoyunlu?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May–September).

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