Things to Do in Hekimhan: 6 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Hekimhan

• 3 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature
• 1 Attraction

While you are in Hekimhan, you can also see the highlights of Malatya province. These places are in other districts; Hekimhan is about 75 km from the provincial centre.

• 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 Hekimhan

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn months

Places to visit

6 places

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  Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped lamb)

  Prepared by wrapping lamb with vegetables in greaseproof paper and baking it in the oven. This dish, an important part of the district's gastronomic identity, is a favourite of visitors.

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  Keşkek

  A traditional dish prepared by boiling cracked wheat and meat for a long time. Made using recipes passed down through the generations, this dish is an important part of the region's culinary culture. Keşkek, an essential dish at weddings, is prepared in a communal spirit.

• 🍽️

  Hekimhan Katmeri

  Listed under the heading 'Hekimhan Katmeri' on the Malatya Governorship's page, a pastry recipe prepared by spreading melted butter over yufka flatbread.

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  Hekimhan Cevizi (Hekimhan walnuts)

  Walnuts grown in the district and its surroundings find buyers for their size and quality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Hekimhan

• 🏨

  Caravanserai Heritage

  The district takes its name from the caravanserai built in the Seljuk period. This stopping point on the Silk Road is an important part of the region's commercial history.

Local Products

• Hekimhan Cevizi (Hekimhan walnuts) — Hekimhan Cevizi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 27 May 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 432). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Fırat Development Agency.
• Iron Ore — Iron ore deposits are found around Hekimhan. The Divriği–Hekimhan iron deposits are among Türkiye's important mineral resources.

Economy

The economy of Hekimhan is based on agriculture, livestock farming and mining. Iron ore is an important source of income. Wheat and apricots are the main agricultural products.

How to Get to Hekimhan

Hekimhan is 75 km from Malatya city centre. It lies on the Malatya–Sivas road.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Malatya

Hekimhan: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Hekimhan 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
• Battalgazi 9 places Silahtar Mustafa Paşa Caravanserai, Pınarbaşı Picnic Area and Kernek Waterfall
• 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
• 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