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