BİTLİS
Area: 6.707 km²
Population: 330.115 (1990)
Traffic Code: 13
Province of Bitlis was located at the Eastern
Anatolia Region and is surrounded by Siirt
from south, by Muş from west, by Ağrı from
north and by Van Lake from east. It is an
important city with its castles and Turkish
Islam creations.
Districts : Ahlat, Güroymak, Hizan, Mutki and
Tatvan.
How to Get
Highway Reaching to the surrounding cities and
districts is possible via highway.
Bus Station Tel: (+90 - 434) 827 72 21 - 226
78 00 - 226 69 69 - 226 79 69 - 226 27 34
Railway The Governmental Railways connected to
Europe - Istanbul reaches to the eastern
countries by the Tatvan district and by the
ferry over the Van Lake.
Railway Station Tel: (+90 - 434) 827 57 02
Airway Reaching to the Bitlis Province is
possible from the airports in Van and Muş
Provinces.
The Ferry Transport The ferry works without
timetable between Van and Tatvan.
Where to Visit
AHLAT
Ahlat Province is founded at the shores of Van
Lake and is at 60 km. distance to the city
center. There are 14 vaults, 2 castles most of
which are the remains of the 13th century, 5
historic graveyards from the Seljukian period,
1 historic graveyard from the Ottoman Period,
4 separate graveyards to the north of the
Yuvadamı village remained from the period
between BC 2000 and BC 1200 years, 2 mosques
and 1 bath from the Ottoman Period. The
Emirlik Bayındır Bridge (Emirate Development
Bridge) in the district should be visited. The
major historic presence of the district is the
historic "Seljukian Graveyard" which was
founded over nearly 200 acre area. Beside the
coffer tombs with or without tombstones in the
graveyard each displaying the property of
monumental structure, the underground
graveyards in the style of chamber tombs which
is the burial style of the Central Asian
Turkish culture is encountered in this
graveyard. The Vaults, which are located among
other important historic structures are the
monumental tombs of the governors and the
rulers of the period, which had developed with
the effect of Islamic culture and are composed
of small mosques constructed over the
underground tomb chamber.
Ahlat also has the most beautiful beach at the
perimeter of the Van Lake. The district
displays the improvement capacity at the
fields of shore tourism and water sports and
it is possible to swim for 4 months at the
beaches of the district. Also the Sütay
Plateau located at the north of the district
has a potential for the improvement of the
plateau tourism. The hand crafted "Ahlat
Bastonu" (Ahlat Walking Stick is famous
through the entire country.
CASTLES
Bitlis Castle The Bitlis Castle is located at
the steep slope, which is adjacent to the
shopping mall in the city center. The castle
was constructed in BC 312 by the order of
Alexander the Great and one of his commanders
Leis Bedlis had completed the structure. As
the interior part of the castle is filled with
earth, it is not possible to wander inside the
castle. However, there is a wonderful
panoramic view from the peak of the hill.
Tatvan Castle The castle was constructed by
Zal Paşa, one of the viziers of Kanuni Sultan
Süleyman at the Tuğ quarter of Tatvan.
Ahlat Shore Castle The castle was from the
Urartu Period but had collapsed because of a
severe earthquake happened in 1224. The castle
was reconstructed in 1556 by the order of
Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. In the present day,
only the castle is standing while the interior
building are in ruins.
Adilcevaz Shore Castle The castle is
constructed over the steep rocks at the shore
of the Van Lake. The castle has a tower and
the historic records indicate that there was
the Süleyman Han Mosque, ammunition cellar,
grain granaries, water cisterns, mehterhane
(military musicians) tower and 70 houses
inside the castle. There are only the ruins of
these structures in the present day.
MOSGUES AND VAULTS
The Ulu (Great) Mosque, Gökmeydan Mosque,
Kızıl (Scarlet) Mosque, Külliye of Şerefiye
Mosque in the Bitlis Province is the
structures worth seeing. Some of the other
mosques and vaults in the province are;
Dörtsandık, Ayne'l -Badrid, Şeyh Hasan,
Alemdar, Kureyşi, Taş, Hatuniye, İskender Paşa,
Emir Bayındır, Tuğrul Bey and Kale Altı
Mosques.
Emir Bayındır Vault, Küfrevi Vault, Çifte
(double) Vault, Emir Ali Vault, Usta - Şagirt
Vault, Şeyh Babo (Üryan Baba) mausoleum.
Ulu Mosque (Center): Mosque constructed in
1150 by Ebu'l Muzaffer Muhammed is one of the
oldest samples of Anatolian Turkish
architecture. Strong stone architecture and
balcony front dome within a symmetric balanced
plan which is prototype among the other
mosques is emphasizing an impressing
development. The development of these process
continues in Artukian mosques afterwards.
Ahlat Vaults
Ulu Vault: Ulu Vault, which is the biggest of
Ahlat vaults, is at south of Meydanlık
Graveyard, and near to Lake Van. It is
estimated that it is constructed during XIIIth
century. Rosette and "Wheel of Fortune" motifs
are adorned on the loopholes on base of vault.
Hüseyin Timur Vault: It is the one on the west
of the two vaults, naming İki Kubbe District.
"Emir Hüseyin Timur ibn Bugatay Aka died in
1279" is mentioned in the script on its
entrance, and "Hüsameddin Hüseyin Aka Kızı
Esentekin Hatun died in 1280" is mentioned in
the script on east window.
Bugatay Aka Vault: The vault constructed for
Bugatay Aka and Şirin Hatun died in 1281, is
at the east of Hüseyin Timur Vault.While
covered with a conical hat externally, the
vault is closed by a dome internally.
Hasan Padişah Vault: This vault in Taht-ı
Süleyman District is the second important and
big monument after Ulu Vault. It is made up of
Ahlat stone, and repaired widely. Vault is
covered by a dome internally, and a conical
hat externally.
Erzen Hatun Vault: According to the script
written on corolla door, vault was constructed
for Emir Ali's daughter Erzen Hatun between
1396 and 1397,and is one of the most
ornamented one among the Ahlat Vaults. Besides
geometrical and vegetal adornments, borders of
hexagonal series are interesting.
Emir Bayındır Vault: The vault at the west of
the İki Kubbe District, at the end of
Meydanlık Graveyard is one of the most
interesting Ahlat vaults according to art
history. In the script which surrounds the
vault from its upper part, the life and
characteristics of Melik Bayındır Bey, who
died in 1481 is written.
Kesiş Vault: The vault in İki Kubbe District
is the simplest piece of art of Ahlat. It is
also known as Keşiş or Tek Vault. According to
the general characteristics of its structure,
it is supposed to be a XIVth century product.
THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS
The most important theological schools of the
province are the İhlasiye Theological School,
Nuhiye Theological School, Şerefiye
Theological School and Yusufiye Theological
School.
INNS AND CARAVANSERAIES
Hatuniye (Hazo) Inn The inn is located
adjacent to the same named bridge. It was told
that the building was constructed by Hamu
Hatun (Lady Hamu) who was the daughter of
Sultan Evhadullah Han of Abbasi civilization
in XI. Century.
Papşin (Hüsrev Paşa) Inn The inn is located on
the Bitlis - Tatvan highway. There are rumors
that the structure was constructed by
Beylerbeyi Hüsrev Paşa in XVI. Century.
Başhan Inn The inn is located on the Bitlis -
Tatvan highway. There are rumors that the
structure was constructed by Beylerbeyi Hüsrev
Paşa in XVI. Century.
El - Aman Caravanserai The El - Aman
Caravanserai is one of the greatest
caravansaries of Anatolia and is composed of
shops, a mosque and a bath together with a
Külliye. El - Aman Caravanserai was
constructed by Hüsrev Paşa in XVI. Century.
The other major inns and caravanseraies inside
the border of the province are as follows:
Şerefiye, Arasa, Yusufiye, Duhan and Kokoz Zal
Paşa caravanseraies.
BATHS
The only bath structures that could withstand
throughout the age are the Han (Khan) Baths
belonging to Şerefhan nation in the city
center of Bitlis Province and the Paşa Bath
which was constructed by Hüsrev Paşa in XVI.
Century. However Han Sarayı (palace of the
Khan) Bath inside the castle and the Saray
(Palace) Bath in the Zeydan quarter lay in
ruins . The ruins of baths inside the El Aman
Caravansary and Ahlat and Adilcevaz Castles
have historical importance.
LAKES
Van Lake Half of the Van Lake is inside the
borders of the Bitlis Province. Waters of the
Van Lake contain salt and soda. The districts
of Ahlat, Adilcevaz and Tatvan are established
at the shoreline of Van Gölü. There are lots
of beaches, accommodation facilities and
restaurants at the shore.
Nemrut Mountain and crater lakes Nemrut
Mountain was located inside the borders of
Tatvan District, to the north of the province.
The mountain is 2935 meters high and display
volcanic characteristics. Nemrut Mountain is a
natural wonder and is being visited by
numerous local and foreign tourists,
especially in the summer season every year.
The Nemrut Lake is located inside the crater
area of Nemrut Mountain and is the first
greatest crater lake of our country and is the
second greatest crater lake of the world. The
mountain is 27 km. away from Bitlis and is 13
km. away from Tatvan and could be easily
reached by Tatvan - Çekmece Village and Ahlat
- Serinbayır village roads by private car.
THERMAL SPRINGS
As Bitlis city center and the surrounding area
are located on the fault line, there are
numerous thermal hot springs inside the
borders of the province. Some of these thermal
springs are; Güroymak (Çukur) Thermal Spring,
Ilıcak (Germav) Thermal Spring, Nemrut
Mountain Thermal Spring, Alemdar, Köprü Altı,
Çim Çölmüğü, Arap Köprüsü (Arabian bridge),
Yılan Dirilten (Snake Resurrection), Acı Su
(Bitter Water) etc.
ORNITHOLOGY AREAS
Nemrut Gölü Bird Area, Sodalıgöl Bird Area and
Van Gölü Bird Area are in Bitlis.
Van Closed Basin
Nemrut Lake
City: Bitlis
Provinces: Tatvan, Güroymak
Surface Area : 4500
Altitude : 2247 m
Protection: N/A
Bird Species: It gains important bird areas
status with kadife ördek (max. 20 pairs) and
kaya kartalı (1 pair).
Main Characteristics: sweet water lake,
mountain
Sodalıgöl
City: Bitlis
Provinces: Adilcevaz
Surface Area : 1500
Altitude : 1650 m
Protection: N/A
Bird Species: Boz ördek (10 pairs), Macar
ördeği (30 pairs) are dikkuyruk (30 pairs)
most important ones reproducing within the
region.
Main Characteristics: salt lake
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Hunting and Fishing The number of terrestrial
hunting animals is abundant in the province.
The most convenient hunting grounds of the
province are Tatvan - Reşadiye surroundings
and Bitlis - Sarıkonak surroundings. For
fishing, Van Lake, Nazik Lake and Aygır Lake
are the major locations.
Trekking For trekking purposes, the Nemrut
Mountain and the Süphan Mountain are at the
first place inside our country.
Ski Center There is a ski center at the Bitlis
city center.
Bitlis Ski Center
Bitlis is in the far east of the country, in
Eastern Anatolia around 20km south-west of
Lake Van, and the skiing area is inside the
city.
Arrival: The city is 1100km from Ankara,
1504km from Istanbul, 1465km from Izmir and
around 200km south of Erzurum. The nearest
airports are at Mus (85km) and Van (160km).
Bitlis can be reached from anywhere in the
country by bus.
Geography: The resort has temperate
terrestrial climate and the season runs
between December and April. The area of Bitlis
gets snow continuously in the winter, which
had a depth of 1-2m. The areas for skiing are
Dideban (1821m) and Sapgor mountains east of
the city, and Altinkalbur at the west.
Facilities: In addition to the ski lodge
inside the resort, there is much more
accommodation and other services in the city.
The resort at Altinkalbur has a T-bar facility
726m long, and the standard of ski runs is
between moderate and difficult.
Geography
The climate of the Bitlis Province displays
terrestrial characteristics but is actually
has a transition climate with the severe and
terrestrial climate of the east and the
Mediterranean climate. Winter seasons in the
province are cold, summers are hot and dry.
History
Bitlis name had been derived from the name "Bedlis"
which was the name of the commander who has
constructed the castle in the province by the
order the Alexander the Great, King of
Macedonia. The history of Bitlis extends to
the date of BC 2000 and the city contains the
traces of Urartu, Asur, Med, Persian,
Macedonian, Roman and Byzantine periods.
Where to Eat
The most famous local meal of the Bitlis
Province is Büryan kebab. This kebab is cooked
with the meat of the goat and is only
available in months of June, July and August.
If you can spare time from sleep, you can eat
the local meal "avşor" at 5.00 o'clock in the
morning in these months.
What to Buy
The Province of Bitlis provides a rich variety
of souvenir options to their visitors. The
pileless carpets and carpets painted colorful
with root paints, earth potteries and the
walking sticks of Ahlat which are famous
throughout country are only a small section of
these souvenirs. Also Hizan hazelnut,
Adilcevaz walnut, Mutki kara hive honey and
cube cheese are the major food souvenirs.
Don't Leave Without
- Visiting Nemrut Mountain and Nemrut Crater
Lake,
- Visiting Ahlat Vaults and Seljukian
Graveyard,
- Visiting Bitlis Castle, İhlasiye Theological
School, Şerefiye Mosque and Vaults,
- Tasting Bitlis Büryan kebab and avşor,
- Buying woven pileless small carpets painted
with root paint, Ahlat walking stick, Hizan
hazelnut, Adilcevaz walnut, Mutki kara hive
honey and cube cheese
Sites
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural
Heritages in Bitlis
Sites
Archeological Sites: 5
Urban Sites: -
Natural Sites: 1
Historical Sites: 1
Other Sites
Archeological+Historical+Urban Sites: 1
Natural+Urban+Archeological Sites: 1
Urban and Archeological Sites: 1
Total: 10
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and
Natural
Heritages: 430
TOTAL: 440
Contact Information
Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (434) 226 53 00
Fax: (434) 226 53 03
Museum
Ahlat Museum Address: Ahlat - Bitlis Tel:
(434) 411 30 89
Governorship : (+90-434) 226 50 00
Municipality : (+90-434) 226 59 00
Hospital : (+90-434) 226 67 00
Police : (+90-434) 226 55 00
Gendarme : (+90-434) 226 56 08
Provincial Directorate : (+90-434) 226 53 04
Tourism Information Office : (+90-434) 827 63
01
Provincial Culture Directorate : (+90-434) 226
53 00
Links
Bitlis Governorship http://www.bitlis.gov.tr
OHAL Governorship http://www.ohal.gov.tr/
