Discover Hasankeyf

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hasankeyf, focusing your trip plans can make it easier to choose what to see: Are you most interested in archaeological finds, architectural history or traces of different eras? Hasankeyf offers several distinct themes, from its museum and historic structures to the rock-cut dwellings of the archaeological site.

Archaeological finds in the museum

The Hasankeyf Museum displays Neolithic stone and bone finds from Hasankeyf Höyük and other excavation sites. It also features prehistoric obsidian and flint tools found during surface surveys in the Tigris Valley and on Mount Raman. These finds offer a distinct perspective on the region’s early settlement history: the first settlement activities at Hasankeyf Höyük began in the second half of the 10th millennium BC. Finds dating to the Iron Age and Hellenistic period were also identified in the excavated areas.

Another group of finds is associated with rescue excavations carried out as part of the Ilısu Dam and HEPP Project. The recovered objects come from the provinces of Batman, Diyarbakır, Siirt and Mardin and are also displayed at the Hasankeyf Museum. This extends the scope beyond finds from Hasankeyf Höyük to excavations across several provinces. When planning your trip, you can therefore connect the museum’s exhibits both with Hasankeyf’s early history and with the wider region.

Structures and their different histories

The archaeological site of Hasankeyf includes structures from several historical periods: Eastern Roman, Artuqid, Ayyubid, Aq Qoyunlu and Ottoman. The scale of its rock-cut architecture is also remarkable: thousands of structures carved into the rock have survived and are known as cave dwellings. They are distinct from the individual mosques, mausoleum and bridge, each of which offers its own historical reference points.

The Ulu Mosque of Hasankeyf was built in the first half of the 14th century during the Ayyubid period, over the remains of an ancient structure. The El-Rızk Mosque was built in 1409 by the Ayyubid Sultan Süleyman. Only its minaret and parts of the north facade, including the portal, have survived. The Hasankeyf Bridge offers a different kind of historical context: it is described as one of the largest stone bridges of the Middle Ages. However, its construction by the Artuqids in the 12th century is not confirmed.

The Zeynel Bey Mausoleum was built for Zeynel Bey, son of the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan. Its exterior is cylindrical, while its interior is octagonal. Turquoise and dark-blue glazed bricks, mosaic tiles and a Kufic Arabic inscription are among its decorative features. The mausoleum is therefore distinguished from the mosques and rock-cut structures not only by its shape but also by its decoration.

Relocated structures and visit planning

The present location of some structures is also part of Hasankeyf’s history. In 2017, the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum was moved from the area flooded by the Ilısu Reservoir to a site two kilometres away in Hasankeyf’s New Cultural Park. The Artuqid Bath was also relocated, moving to the New Cultural Park between 2017 and 2019. These dates help place the structures in their historical context and distinguish their current setting from their former location.

A notice dated 13 February 2026 announced that the archaeological site had reopened after construction work was completed; the Arkeopark was excluded from the notice. Check current access to the site before your trip. This lets you plan your visit according to conditions on the ground, rather than treating an earlier reopening notice as confirmation of access today.

Hasankeyf is especially suited to travellers who want to focus their plans on specific historical themes. The museum connects early finds with rescue excavations, while the mosques, bridge and mausoleum illustrate different periods and architectural forms. If you’re looking for hotels for your trip, these interests can help you decide what to focus on during your stay. Discover more destinations: Batman, Sarıkuş, Derince.

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