Things to Do in Battalgazi: 9 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Battalgazi

• 3 Historic
• 2 Religious
• 2 Museum
• 1 Nature
• 1 Attraction

While you are in Battalgazi, you can also see the highlights of Malatya province. These places are in other districts.

• Arslantepe Mound — A mound 7 km north-east of Malatya, spanning the Chalcolithic period to the Late Hittite era.
• Battalgazi Grand Mosque — A mosque in Old Malatya built around 1224 by the architect Yakub bin Ebubekir during the reign of Alâeddin Keykubad I. It is famous for its tile-decorated iwan, which represents the Iranian Great Seljuk mosque tradition in Anatolia.
• Silahtar Mustafa Paşa Caravanserai — One of the great caravanserais of Anatolia, built in Battalgazi in the 17th century by Silahtar Mustafa Paşa; it is being preserved through restoration.
• Somuncu Baba Complex — The complex around the tomb of the Sufi Somuncu Baba, known for baking and distributing loaves (somun) in Bursa and who died in 1412, in Darende; it stands on the bank of Tohma Canyon.
• Tohma Canyon — A canyon in Darende carved into the limestone by the Tohma Stream.
• Günpınar Waterfall — A waterfall tumbling from a rock face on a fault line, 8 km west of Darende and 118 km from Malatya; the surroundings are a picnic area.

Practical Information for Visiting Battalgazi

Suggested time

1-2 days

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn months (April–June, September–October)

Places to visit

9 places

• 🥣

  Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)

  Traditional Malatya soup made with small meatballs and chickpeas, indispensable on winter tables. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

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  Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper)

  Lamb cooked with vegetables wrapped in greaseproof paper and baked in the oven, a dish specific to Malatya.

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  Kayısı Tatlısı (apricot dessert)

  A dessert made with Malatya's world-famous apricots, served with kaymak (clotted cream) or walnuts.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Battalgazi

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  Arslantepe UNESCO Heritage

  Arslantepe Mound, added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, is one of Anatolia's most important archaeological sites, with 8,000 years of uninterrupted settlement.

• ⚔️

  Battal Gazi Tradition

  The district takes its name from Battal Gazi, a legendary Turkish-Islamic warrior who lived in the 8th century. The Battal Gazi epic is one of the important narratives of Anatolian folk culture.

Local Products

• Battalgazi Haşhaşlı Dut Pestili (poppy-seed mulberry pestil) — Battalgazi Haşhaşlı Dut Pestili was registered as a protected geographical indication on 17 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 632). Product group: chocolate, confectionery and derived products. Registered by: Battalgazi Municipality.
• Malatya Kayısısı (Malatya apricots) — Around 80% of Türkiye's apricot production comes from Malatya. The apricot orchards in Battalgazi are an important part of this production.
• Pestil ve Köme (fruit leather and walnut snacks) — Pestil made from apricot or grape juice and walnut köme are the traditional snacks of Malatya.

Economy

Battalgazi is one of the two central districts of Malatya. Apricot farming, trade and the service sector are the main economic activities. Cultural tourism is also developing thanks to Arslantepe.

How to Get to Battalgazi

Battalgazi is part of Malatya city centre. Malatya Airport is within the district boundaries. There are air links to Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Malatya

Battalgazi: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Battalgazi Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Malatya The province's 9 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Malatya

• Akçadağ 4 places Akçadağ Castle, Akçadağ Apricot Orchards and Levent Valley
• Arapgir 6 places Arapgir Mansions, Arapgir Castle and Kemaliye Bridge
• Arguvan 3 places Arguvan Castle, Euphrates Valley and Kızık Village Sacred Fish Park
• Darende 7 places Tohma Kanyonu (Tohma Canyon), Günpınar Şelalesi (Günpınar Waterfall) and Somuncu Baba Külliyesi (Somuncu Baba Complex)
• Doğanşehir 6 places Pınarbaşı Picnic Area, Erkenek Valley Waterfall and Sürgü Castle
• Doğanyol 3 places Euphrates River View, Doğanyol Mosque and Karakaya Dam
• Hekimhan 6 places Hekimhan Caravanserai, Hasan Çelebi Mound and Taşhan
• Kale 3 places Kale District Castle, Banks of the Euphrates and Kömürhan Bridge
• Kuluncak 5 places Eşref Mound, Kabak Abdal Tomb and Kuluncak Castle
• Pütürge 4 places Euphrates River Valley, Pütürge Castle and Perieş (Dilbersen) Castle
• Yazıhan 5 places Hasan Patrik Mosque, Yazıhan Caravanserai and Tohma Stream Valley
• Yeşilyurt 6 places Malatya Museum, Levent Valley and Yeşilyurt Castle