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7 places to visit in the Tuzluca district of Iğdır: Tuzluca Salt Caves, Tuzluca Castle and Çilli Lake. Plan your trip to Tuzluca with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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By a circular dated 17 October 1928, numbered 4948, the name of Kulp district, which was attached to Bayazıt Province, was changed to Tuzluca to remove the confusion caused by the similarity of names. Tuzluca district left Bayazıt Province in 1934 and was attached to Kars. In 1992, when Iğdır separated from Kars to become a province, Tuzluca was attached to Iğdır province.

Geography

Tuzluca is located in the west of the province. Mountains predominate in its landforms. The district has 81 villages. The road linking Türkiye with Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia passes through Tuzluca. The district centre covers 1,270 km² and makes up about 35.4% of Iğdır province’s land.

Rock Salt Mines

It is the rock salt mines that gave Tuzluca its name; its first known name was Kulp. The salt caves cover 35 decares of land. After many years of working this material, a healing centre serving asthma patients has been established in the salt caves.

Economy

The economy is based more on livestock farming, mining and plateau pasture farming than on agriculture. Various fruits and vegetables are grown in Tuzluca, along with Iğdır’s famous apricots. South of Tuzluca, along the mountain range that forms the border with Ağrı province, there are many plateaus, including Aslanlı, Kırahtin, Hıdık, Güllük, Yassıbulak, Kızılziyaret, Guh, Davul, Mirgemir, Barbaro and Sinek plateaus. A brick factory and Mount Tuz, which meets the region’s entire salt requirement, are also located here.

Transport

The area where Tuzluca is located is very important for transport. Iğdır province, which shares borders with three countries, has its road links with other provinces and regions passing through Tuzluca.

History and Culture

Kulp district was renamed Tuzluca in 1928 to remove confusion over names. Tuzluca was attached to Iğdır province in 1992. The district takes its name from its rock salt mines. The salt caves were opened for health tourism in 2021 as the Tuz Terapi Merkezi (Salt Therapy Centre). The district’s economy is based more on livestock farming, mining and plateau pasture farming than on agriculture.

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Places to Visit in Tuzluca

  • 4 Historic
  • 3 Nature
Tuzluca Salt Caves - Tuzluca Photo: efalp00 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Tuzluca Salt Caves

Salt caves covering 35 decares of land, including a healing centre that serves asthma patients.

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Historic

Tuzluca Castle

Located on a hill overlooking the district centre, Tuzluca Castle has a past going back to the Urartian period. Because of its strategic position, it was also used in the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

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Nature

Çilli Lake

Located to the south of Tuzluca, Çilli Lake stands out for its salty water. During migration periods the lake area is home to waterbirds such as flamingos and pelicans. It is an important stopover for birdwatchers.

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Historic

Gaziler Village Rock Tombs

Rock tombs near Gaziler village, belonging to the Urartian period, consisting of chamber-shaped tombs carved into rock. They are important archaeological remains that shed light on the region's ancient history.

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Nature

Rainbow Hills

An area of hillocks in different colours in Tuzluca district.

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Historic

Bahçecik Village Maiden's Castle

A castle on the rocks to the south of Bahçecik village, part of Tuzluca.

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Historic

Aslanlı Castle

A castle built on a hill 1.5 km north-west of Aslanlı village.

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Places to Visit Around Iğdır Province

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While you are in Tuzluca, you can also see the highlights of Iğdır province. These places are in other districts; Tuzluca is about 48 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 Tuzluca

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (May–September)
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Tuzluca

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  • Tuzluca Tandır Kebabı

    Lamb is slow-cooked for hours over low heat in a clay tandır oven. The soft texture and deep flavour produced by cooking in its own fat make it Tuzluca's best-known dish.

  • Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut noodle soup)

    A traditional soup made with handmade pasta strips, broth and yoghurt. It is never missing from Tuzluca's tables on cold winter days.

  • Pekmezli Helva (grape molasses halva)

    Traditional halva made with flour, butter and grape molasses. In Tuzluca it is made especially in the winter months and on special occasions. This energy-rich sweet is served with tea.

  • Bağa Yaprağı Salamura (pickled bağa leaves)

    Bağa leaf brine, made mostly in Tuzluca district and mountain villages in Iğdır province, has been used since ancient times in the treatment of open wounds as well.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Tuzluca

  • Salt Mining Tradition

    Salt mining in Tuzluca is a tradition that has lasted for centuries. The district was an important salt production centre in the Ottoman period and takes its name from this activity. Today the salt caves are used for both industrial and tourist purposes.

  • Aşık Tradition

    The ancient aşık tradition of Eastern Anatolia is kept alive in Tuzluca too. Aşıks who improvise poetry to the accompaniment of the saz bring local people together at weddings and festive celebrations.

Local Products

  • Tuzluca Rock Salt — Tuzluca rock salt, mined for centuries, is rich in natural minerals. Pink and white in colour, the salt is used for table and industrial purposes.
  • Tuzluca Honey — Flower honey gathered from the district's plateaus, obtained particularly from thyme and alfalfa flowers. Its natural, unadulterated character makes it popular locally and in neighbouring provinces.

Economy

Tuzluca's economy is based on salt mining, agriculture and livestock farming. The salt caves provide both industrial production and tourism income. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are grown in farming. Small livestock farming is also an important source of livelihood.

How to Get to Tuzluca

Tuzluca is 48 km from Iğdır city centre. Iğdır Airport is about 55 km away. The district is reached by road on the Iğdır–Kars highway, with minibus and dolmuş services.

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Tuzluca: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Tuzluca?

The 7 highlighted places in Tuzluca are: Tuzluca Salt Caves, Tuzluca Castle, Çilli Lake, Gaziler Village Rock Tombs, Rainbow Hills, Bahçecik Village Maiden's Castle and Aslanlı Castle.

What is there to eat in Tuzluca?

Tuzluca Tandır Kebabı, Kesme Çorbası and Pekmezli Helva are the standout flavours on Tuzluca's tables.

What is Tuzluca famous for?

Tuzluca is known for Tuzluca Rock Salt and the Salt Mining Tradition. Tuzluca rock salt, mined for centuries, is rich in natural minerals. Pink and white in colour, it is used for table and industrial purposes.

How do I get to Tuzluca?

Tuzluca is 48 km from Iğdır city centre. Iğdır Airport is about 55 km away. The district is reached by road on the Iğdır–Kars highway, with minibus and dolmuş services.

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

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May–September).

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