BATMAN
Area: 4.654 km²
Population:406.000 (1997)
Traffic Code: 72
Batman province and the ancient city of
Hasankeyf is founded on the land where Dicle
River flows and was able to protect its rich
historical background and these cities are the
wonders of the nature with their historical
monuments and caves exceeding a thousand in
number.
Districts : Beşiri, Gercüş, Hasankeyf, Kozluk
and Sason.
How to Get
Highway There are bus journeys from each
province of Turkey.
Air Transportation The air journeys from
Batman to the cities of Ankara, Istanbul and
Izmir.
Telephone of the Airport:(+90-488) 213 91 49
Where to Visit
HASANKEYF
Being adjacent to the Dicle River, Hasankeyf
with its madrasas, observatory, health asylum
and other educational organisations was the
science and culture centre of the region in
past.
The district, due to its historical assets,
has been declared as a natural conservation
area since 1981. These historical assets will
probably have been under water due to Ilısu
Dam in the scope of GAP project in time.
Therefore, the rescue excavations for movable
historical and archaeological works of art are
still being carried on.
History
The foundation date of Hasankeyf is not known
exactly. The geopolitical situation in the
city strengthens the possibility of its being
a very ancient settlement area. There are lots
of caverns some of which are being used even
today as residences. In the Christian Era,
Hasankeyf experienced the rule of the Sasanis
and Byzantines. Due to a safe castle having
been built by the Byzantines in 4th century
BC, the region had been defended by them for a
long time. Hasankeyf was conquered by the
Emevis in 639 AD. Later on, the Abbasids,
Hamdanis, Mervanis, Artuks, Eyyubis and
Ottomans ruled the region respectively. The
Artuks period was the golden era of Hasankeyf.
There are many historical works remaining from
this period.
Climate
Dicle River, which gives life to the region,
also effects its climate. It makes winter much
more temperate. Average temperature is 25° C,
and highest average temperature varies between
40 - 43° C, and lowest average temperature
varies between 6 - 8° C.
How to Get
For arriving to Hasankeyf, one can go to
Midyat first from Mardin via minibus, and then
to Hasankeyf via minibus again.
Where to Visit
DESTINATIONS
Hasankeyf Castle
According to the historical records, it was
built by the Byzantines in the middle of the
4th century. In the following periods, the
castle was the most important settlement place
of the region due to its safety
characteristic. Besides hundreds of
residences, there are also historical pieces
of art such as Big Palace, Small Palace and
Ulu Mosque in the castle.
Castle Door
It is at the beginning of the stairs on the
east side, leading to the castle. Due to the
inscriptions on the door, it is understood
that it belongs to the Eyyubis. Other door in
the upper part of the road has been partially
collapsed.
Bridge
It is the biggest stone bridge of the Middle
Ages. It is not known for certain but it is
said that the bridge was built by the Artuks
in 12th century.
Big Palace
The Palace is under subsidence on the north
side of the castle. It is not known definitely
when and by whom this palace was built due to
the lack of inscription in the palace, but it
is supposed to be of the Artuk art because of
its characteristics.
Ulu Mosque within the Castle:
It was built over the remains of an ancient
construction during Eyyubi Era in the first
period of 14th century. From the inscriptions
on the Mosque, it is understood that it was
repaired, and underwent some changes in the
following periods.
El-Rızk Mosque
It was built by Eyyubi Sultan Süleyman in
1409, but only its minaret and north face
where portal door took place have partly
survived up to the present. The inscriptions
on the minaret and the portal door, vegetal
ornaments and minaret with double-way access
are the charming characteristics of the
Mosque.
Koç Mosque
It is supposed that the mosque belongs to the
Eyyubis. Due to the remains of the buildings
around the mosque, it is believed that the
mosque is within a külliye (a complex of
buildings consisting of madrasa, soup kitchen
(imaret), library, hospital, etc.)
Kızlar Mosque
It is in the east of Koç Mosque. Being used as
a mosque today, it was a monumental tomb in
past. The ruins of the tombs have survived to
the present day.
Tombs:
The tombs in Hasankeyf are İmam Abdullah Tomb
and Zeynel Bey Tomb.
Zeynelbey Tomb:
Akkoyunlular Principality had this tomb built.
The cylindrical main part of the tomb was
covered with turquoise and dark blue tiles,
which formed belts. On these belts, the names
of 'God, Muhammed and Ali' was written quite
aesthetically. It is one of the beautiful
examples among the tombs which have the
similar characteristics in Anatolia.
Links
Governorship of Hasankeyf http://www.hasankeyf.gov.tr/
HUNTING TOURISM
The mostly encountered hunting animals in the
city are rabbit, partridge, quail, toy bird,
planked dove, wild duck, goose, water sable,
marten and badger. Beside these animals, it is
possible to hunt mountain sheep in Raman
mountain and, mountain goat in Kozluk - Sason
districts.
Geography
The dominant climate in Batman is terrestrial
climate. The summer seasons are hot and dry
while the winter seasons are cold and
precipitant in the region.
History
Batman was once a village called İluh. In
1937, İluh village had become a sub-district.
His name was changed in 1950 and began to be
called as Batman because of the Batman Creek
flowing in the vicinity. Batman was connected
to the province of Siirt as a district in 1957
and later in 1990, became a Province.
Where to Eat
Meat meals with abundant fat amount, pastries,
soups peculiar to the region, tandır (oven
made as a hole in the earth) bread cooked in
the mud ovens named tiftik kıçıl and taş
ekmeği (hard bread) Hevra are among the
delicious food varieties of the region.
What To Buy
Among the souvenirs of the region, you can
find woven, bright silk and silver embroidered
cloths, pinking, laceworks, and kanaviçe
(canvas for embroidering) embroideries, wool
booties, wool socks in various colors and
local patterns.
Sites
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural
Heritages in Batman
Sites
Archaeological Sites: 6
Urban Sites: - Natural Sites: -
Historical Sites: -
Total: 6
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and
Natural
Heritages: 30
TOTAL: 36
Contact Information
Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (488) 213 90 84 - 43
Fax: (488) 213 90 82
Cultural Centers
A hall for conferences and concert with 300
seating capacity 160 m² Exhibition Hall 300 m²
Library 4 Art Workshops
Contact Address: Ziya Gökalp Cad. Mah. 1712
Sok.
No: 10 - Batman
Tel: (488) 213 30 21
Governorship : (+90-488) 213 10 01
Municipality : (+90-488) 213 27 59
Hospital : (+90-488) 213 89 24
Police : (+90-488) 213 28 55
Gendarme : (+90-488) 341 25 01 - 411 24 80
Provincial Directorate : (+90-488) 212 07 18
Tourism Information Office : (+90-488) 212 07
18
Links
Batman Municipality http://www.batman-bld.gov.tr/
Hasankeyf http://www.hasankeyf.gov.tr/
