Hasankeyf with its 12 thousand years old journey
Batman is a wonder of nature with its rich historical texture, established on the fertile lands of Batman Watercourse basin in Southeastern Anatolia Region's Mesopotamian lands where Tigris River flows meandering.
Batman's history dates back before Neolithic Age. It's between the rivers of Tigris and Euphrates where once called Mesopotamia and it has been called with the names Subaru, Elekhan, Elah and Iluh in 3000 B.C. Dominated by Urartu, Scythian, Med, Persian, Roman and Byzantine civilizations and mentioned in the writings of Herodotus, after the hegemony of Islamic armies Batman had been ruled by Omayyads, Abbasids, Seljuks and Ottomans.
Places to Visit
In Batman, you will not get enough of the views of the valleys which are created by Tigris over thousands of years. Such that Hasankeyf Archeological Site is a remarkable land form created by the mutual efforts of nature and humankind. On the tides of Tigris, science and culture center of its era with madrasahs, observatory and other educational institutes Hasankeyf is still an unknown in terms of its establishment date but it's assumed to be a very old settlement due to its geopolitical structure. 30 km away from the city center, Hasankeyf was taken under protection in 1981 and was declared a protected area. Tigris River flows across Hasankeyf. Here tourist guidance is conducted by little children of the area. There're interesting historical houses and mosques in the site. Every time you close your eyes you go back in time thousands of years and think that this is the most a city can suit to its geography.
Hasankeyf Castle also known as the Hısno Koyfa was built as the center of Assyrian Episcope by Byzantines in year 363 is known as the strongest castle built by Byzantines in East because it's so hard to conquer. The secret paths of the castle built to carry water from Tigris to the castle are still solid and worth seeing with their 200 step stairways.
Hasankeyf Passenger Stop-by Inn is a 1000 people capacity natural cave made from a monolith rock in Hasankeyf Ancient City. Located under the Hasankeyf Castle, there is a vault to stock water and a secret path to climb up to the castle in the cave. The air circulation in this dim and exotic place has made this cave suitable for usage throughout centuries by making it cool during summer and warm during winter. Always witnessing an intense human traffic throughout history, this cave and this geography is perfect example of how history and culture blends with nature.
Used as a settlement since the very formation of permanent settlements, Hasankeyf Caves are estimated to be around 4000 years old. The most important feature of these caves is that they have many waterworks. These caves alone are a good reason to visit Hasankeyf. Besides of its natural beauties and rich culture, Batman is also a cultural heritage with the artifacts reflecting its deep rooted history.
Ayrancı Village of Beşiri County is the Turabidin Region which is acknowledged as sacred by Assyrian Christians. Mor Kiryakus Monastery is the most important one of the 80 churches and monasteries of the region. This monastery with a superior art value is a social complex with a sanctuary, Madrasah and hermitage. This monastery of the mysterious Turabidin Region must be seen. Predicted to be built by first age Assyrians, Mor Aho Monastery is 2 km away from Üç Yol Village. This monastery is surrounded by agricultural lands and a garden full of fruit trees named as Attafiye Gardens by locals.
On the border Diyarbakır, over the Batman Watercourse subject of Turkish Folkloric Music Malabadi Bridge is a magnificent Artuqid structure with its elegant and harmonious geometry. It's the bridge with the largest arch among the arch bridges of the world. Memikan Bridge is among the most important historical structures of Batman. This bridge is thought to be built in 6th century after the domination of Muslims and was on a strategic point in order to prevent the passages from Silk Road. It has provided transportation to Northern Mesopotamia from the first ages till the midst of the middle ages. Ten Arched State Railways Bridge was built in 1944 and is considered as the architectural wonder of its era. It's established over Batman Waterside, 7 km away from the city center and you can cross it with train.
Hızır Bey Mosque in the county of Kozluk was built in 1512 by Hızır Bey. Again İbrahim Bey Mosque in Kozluk was restored by İbrahim Bey of Garzan tribe in 1705 and it is ornamented with geometrical motives. Ulu Camii built in 14th century is worth seeing.
Zeynel Bey Dome built during the realm of Aqqoyunlu Chiefdom is the first example of mausoleum tradition in Anatolia. This one of a kind cylindrical structure is also important with its calligraphic tiles and epitaph. Kandil Castel, a 4th century Byzantine structure located 6 km north of Kozluk; Rabat Castle located 18 km away from Kozluk built in the same century; Bozikan Castle built in 4th century like other Byzantine castles to control the silk road; Kozluk (Hero) Castle which was the religion center of Persians in 416 and then the control center of silk road and also Pertükan and Beksi Castles are among the important castles you should pay a visit in Batman.
What to Eat?
Batman cuisine is full of alternatives for meat lovers and they all taste amazing. You cannot get enough of the oily meat dishes, pastries, local soups, village bread and a special type of bread Hevran. Stuffed meatballs, fresh and dried stuffings, intestines stuffings, Damascus pastries, steak tartar a la turca, Batman's specialty village bread, and lentil and yogurt soups are among the main dishes of Batman.
How to Go?
Batman, the intersection point of northern and western roads, has a very organized transportation system with air, road and train lines. It's possible to get to Hasankeyf which is 35 km away from the center with vehicles departing from bus terminal. It's 1543 Km away from Istanbul, 1106 Km away from Ankara and 1518 Km away from Izmir. It's really comfortable to travel to Batman with train. Haydarpaşa-Kurtalan railway line passes through Batman. Turkish Airline planes have direct flights to Ankara and Istanbul everyday and connected flights to other cities.
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