Historic City of Harput and The Castle Harput, perched on the side of a limestone mountain with steep cliffs, was initially established as a fortress city to provide defense during times of war and invasions. Over the centuries, it evolved into a vibrant commercial hub. The city has a rich history influenced by many civilizations, including the Urartu, Byzantine, Artukids, Seljuks, and Ottomans. The Harput Castle, a natural stronghold designed to protect the city, served as a vital military base during the Urartu period. Subsequent rulers and conquerors expanded and modified the fortress, leaving their marks on the structure. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the Ottoman Quarter, including inner fortress mosques, water reservoirs, and dungeons. The Artuklu Palace features secret tunnels that provided access beyond the castle walls. A hidden passage connects the castle to the Church of the Virgin Mary, while other historic records mention links to the Castle Bath and the Inner Castle. The dungeon was constructed by Belek Gazi in 1123. During afforestation efforts in the Harputta Nevroz Forests, a relief was uncovered revealing the city’s history dates back over 2200 years. The relief, carved on local sandstone, measures 2.72 by 2.42 meters and illustrates the conquest of a fortress and the presentation of prisoners before a king, depicted in a narrative style. Harput is a city rich in history, having been inhabited by many civilizations over thousands of years. A remarkable symbol of this cultural legacy is the Church of the Virgin Mary. This ancient Christian church, situated in Harput, Anatolia, is among the oldest in the area, originally built in 179 AD by the Abgar Kingdom. The church features a small, covered entrance that was added later to the northern wall, incorporating some repurposed materials. Its north wall consists of ancient stones, while the west side is hewn directly from the natural rock. The church is designed along an east-west orientation, with a three-part apse facing east. Today, the Church of the Virgin Mary continues to serve the Assyrian community and welcomes all visitors seeking spiritual solace, as it is believed to aid in healing certain mental health conditions. Every year on August 15th, the church hosts the significant Asdvadzadzin (celestial ascension) festival. In 2018, the Historic City of Harput along with its Castle was placed on UNESCO's tentative list, highlighting the area's exceptional cultural value and importance. If you have any questions or need more information about the Historic City of Harput and The Castle, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us via Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.