Hasankeyf is an ancient settlement built on a rocky slope along the banks of the Tigris. The earliest human traces are believed to date back to the Neolithic period, possibly as far as 10,000 BCE; thousands of natural caves in the area served as dwellings for centuries.
The city passed through Roman, Sassanid, Umayyad, Abbasid, Artuqid, Ayyubid, and Ottoman periods; the Artuqid and Ayyubid periods (12th-14th centuries) in particular are considered Hasankeyf's golden age — the city was then an important regional center with its bridges, palaces, and madrasas. Because of the Ilısu Dam, much of the historic core has been partially underwater since 2019; some monuments were relocated to a new site.
Highlights
Thousands of cave dwellings
Natural and man-made caves in the rocky slopes; some were used as dwellings until the 20th century.
Remains of Hasankeyf Bridge
The piers of what is considered one of the largest bridges of the Middle Ages still stand in the Tigris.
Zeynel Bey Mausoleum
A mausoleum built by the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan for his son, notable for its cylindrical form (one of the relocated monuments).
Er-Rızk Mosque and minaret
An Ayyubid-era mosque dating to the early 15th century, known for its still-standing minaret.