(CUL) DESTINATIONS TO DISCOVER IN TURKEY: EASTERN ANATOLIA.

ANKARA, Jul 5, 2009 (TUR) -- As a cradle of civilizations from past to present, Eastern Anatolia is a geography that holiday-makers should discover uplands on snow covered peaks, thermal resources and its rich history.

-ERZURUM-

In Erzurum, one of the oldest settlements of Anatolia, visitors mostly prefer nature attractions where all beauties of history and nature can be seen.

Tour operators recommend one-week tour program to visit all the picturesque places in and around Erzurum. Tourists should first visit the Double-Minaret Madrasah, the biggest madrasah in Anatolia. As it has no epigraph on it, the two-storey madrasah with an open courtyard keeps its mystery about the construction date.

Yakutiye Madrasah, another madrasah in town, which dates back to Ilkhanid Empire, and the watch tower are also worth to see in Erzurum.

Three tombs, dating back to 12th century, draw attraction with motifs carved, and Lalapasha Mosque, built in 1562, is one of the leading tourist attractions in Erzurum.

Aziziye and Mecidiye bastions that witnessed Ottoman-Russian war in 1877 and 1878, are two most visited tourist sites in the city.

Tortum Lake and Waterfall in Uzundere town, the largest waterfall in Turkey, is a must-see --especially in spring time-- natural beauty 100 kilometers north of Erzurum.

The 466-kilometer spectacular Coruh Valley, home to country's fastest flowing river Coruh again in the north of the province, is a center for outdoor sports, particularly for rafting, canoeing, trekking and climbing. Along with international competitions, tour operators also organize rafting events in the valley.

Tourists can enjoy comfortable four or five star hotels in Erzurum.

-BINGOL-

Floating islands on the Pond Aksakal in Solhan town of Bingol, 90 minutes drive from Elazig Airport, are one of the major tourist attractions in this part of the region. The 50-meter deep pond has a 300 square meter surface area. There are three floating islands on the pond.

Another tourist attraction in Bingol is the Cave Zag which is located 46 kilometers to city center. The cave is believed to be a monastery or a chapel during Christian settlement in the region. The three-storey cave has 78 rooms carved in rocks. The cave was used as a living space and also to store grains.

-MUS-

Lakes Big Hamurpet and Small Hamurpet are situated 75 kilometers to Mus and 35 kilometers to Varto town of the province. These lakes, famous for mirror carps, are popular destinations for domestic tourists.

Vast plain in Mus is home to tulips that naturally grow in springtime. Tourists are highly recommended to go and see the fields of tulips.

A traditional festival organized for three days starting July 20 every year is another must-see event if one visits Mus. The Kog Hill festival hosts especially domestic tourists who camp on the hill to see rise and set of the sun. District governor's office help foreign and domestic tourists with accommodation and transportation needs during festival time in Varto.

-TUNCELI-

Tunceli awaits people who prefer to enjoy nature and outdoor sports in summer time. The natural park in Munzur Valley, rivers of Munzur and Pulumur, Keban Dam Lake are some of the alternative spots for water sports and swimming. These places offer fascinating views and opportunities for lots of activities, such as fishing, trekking and water sports.

-KARS-

Kars is situated near the eastern border of Turkey and is just like a treasure of history with traces of several civilizations in almost every part of the province.

With a three-day tour program, tourists can see several places such as the castle in downtown, which was built in 1153, and ruins of Ani.

Situated some 40 kilometers to Kars, the old city of Ani sits on the western side of the River Arpacay, which is the border between Turkey and Armenia. Both mosques and churches of the ruins greet visitors together.

Lake Cildir is one of the major tourist spot in Kars and is located 90 kilometers to the city. It has a 123 kilometer surface area and is the biggest fresh water lake in eastern Anatolia and the second largest after Lake Van. The lake is a worth-to-see place for its rich species of bird and fish.

Kuyucuk Bird Lake is another natural beauty in Kars. It is 30 kilometers to Kars and also a nest for 380 bird species. The lake is under protection by state's forest authority.

-ARDAHAN-

With its rich flora, the extensive Lake Cildir --also situated in the province of Ardahan adjacent to Kars-- offers beauties for a unique vacation both in summer and winter time around its 123 square kilometer surface area.

-IGDIR-

Igdir is the only Turkish province that borders three countries. The incredibly spectacular Mount Agri hails visitors at the entrance of the province. A 30-minute drive takes tourists to chimney rocks and caves in Tuzluca town.

Watching herons and storks fly over the plain in spring and summer time could be a relishing experience on the foot of the Mount Agri.

Tourist are highly recommended to visit the memorial and the museum built to commemorate Turkish people killed by Armenians in order to get informed about the incidents of 1915.

-ELAZIG-

Elazig --surrounded by the River Euphrates, Keban Dam Lake and Lake Hazar-- is one of the leading provinces in eastern Turkey with its great potential of tourist attractions.

The history of Elazig dates back to 4000 B.C. Its historical sites, natural beauties, culture, trekking routes, camping facilities and tombs --for those taking a faith tour-- makes the province another must-see destination in eastern part of the country.

Harput is 5 kilometers to downtown Elazig and historical buildings turn the town into an open-air museum. The town, old settlement of Elazig, offers unique samples of Turkish baths, fountains and mosques from Artuklu and Ottoman era.

Another open-air museum town of Elazig is Palu. Palu, 72 kilometers to Elazig city center, awaits to be discovered with its Urartu-era citadel and several Artuklu, Seljuk and Ottoman-era mosques and bridges over the River Murat.

Lake Hazar is located 22 kilometers to Elazig. Tourists can find hotels, motels, restaurants and fish houses around the lake.

Ski center on Mount Hazarbaba attracts tourists from adjacent provinces for winter sports. In recent years, the mount is on the spotlight for paragliding, too.

Elazig has also rich resources of thermal springs. Golan thermal spring in Karakocan town, 105 kilometers to Elazig, is a spa center that has been officially registered by the Ministry of Health.

-ERZINCAN-

Erzincan is taking firm steps forward to become a remarkable outdoor sports center in Turkey. After increasing number of paragliding and nature sports festivals in the province, Erzincan has become a significant destination for outdoor activities.

A 45-minute drive takes visitors to Girlevik Waterfall, a charming place to taste delicious trouts and rest.

Kemaliye and Kemah towns should be on the list to see. Tourists can get the chance for a rafting experience in Kemaliye and visit the historical citadel in Kemah.

-MALATYA-

Malatya is home to several ancient civilizations as a conjunction of Mesopotamia and Anatolia, as well as a spot on trade route between the East and the West.

Tourists can begin discovering Malatya from Aslantepe Tumulus on which world's first palace is located. It is situated 4 kilometers northeast of city center and dates back to Chalcolithic, or Copper Stone Age. Excavations at the tumulus were started in 1932 and are still under way. An Italian archaeological team is digging the mound.

Malatya Archaeology Museum takes visitors to a historical journey. The museum is at the city center and hosts visitors since 1979. Sculptures and statuettes unearthed at Cafer Tumulus, which disappeared under water after a dam was built, are also on display at the museum.

Mount Nemrut is a national park and hosts ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Commagene. One can reach the site after a 94-kilometer drive from Puturge town. The mount, notable for vast statues, is also a choice of tourists who want to watch sun rise or set, especially in summer time.

Gurpinar Watarfalls, 10 kilometers west of Darende town of Malatya, is a perfect spot for rafting. Akcadag, 30 kilometers to Malatya, is a town where thoroughbred Arabian horses are raised at a special stud farm since 1849.

Tourist can also enjoy delicious apricots of Malatya for a one-month harvest time that begins at the end of June.

-AGRI-

Maybe the most notable tourist attractions of eastern Turkey, such as the Ishak Pasha Palace, Noah's Ark and the Meteor Crater, are situated in the province of Agri.

A three-hour drive from Van will bring you to Dogubayazit to see the Ishak Pasha Palace. The Ottoman-period palace was built on top of a hill and looks like an eagle's nest. The 7,600-square meter complex has 360 rooms and large halls. Its U-type distinguished architecture has traces of Persian, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations. Channels in stone walls indicate a central heating system in the palace which is a unique example of Ottoman art history.

The vessel-shaped structure, some 25 kilometers to Dogubayazit, is believed to be the Noah's Ark that ran aground after a perfect storm. Every year, significant numbers of foreign tourists and researchers visit the site, which is under protection as an open-air museum.

The meteor crater, some 35 kilometers in the east of Dogubayazit town and 2 kilometers to the border with Iran, is a cavity formed after a meteor hit the ground in 1892. It is considered to be the second largest crater on earth after the one in Alaska, United States. The 60-meter deep crater has a diameter of 35 meters.

An oasis-like green area down the Ishak Pasha Palace is known as the Monk's Garden. It is rumoured that the 16th century legendary and notorious love story of "Kerem and Asli" took place in this wide garden.

-VAN-

Van, once the capital of ancient kingdom of Urartu, is another tourist attraction in eastern Turkey with historical castles and natural beauties.

The noteworthy Van Castle, 5 kilometers to Van, was built on a hilltop by King Sardur of Urartu in 9th century B.C. The rock tombs in the cliff face below the castle on the south side sit on a place of an open-air sanctuary built in the reign of King Sarduri.

The Akdamar Island on Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region. People can reach the island after a 20-minute boat ride from Gevas town. The church of Akdamar Island was built by Armenian King Gagik in 10th century. Four-leaf clover-shaped church was planned on a cross shape.

Stone walls of the Akdamar, which was restored as a museum, show excerpts carved from the Bible and reliefs depicting daily life and hunt scenes.

Baskale town, some 60 kilometers in the east of Van, houses another castle of Urartu Kingdom. Hosap Castle is believed to be built to control the military route to Iran. The bridge located in the south of the castle is the oldest Ottoman-era bridge in and around Van.

Meherkapi, a rock alcove on which an epigraph of King Ishpuini of Urartus was carved, is situated 5 kilometers east of Van. The epigraph is one of the best resources that provides information about Urartu state religion. It reads names of all gods of Urartus and the number of sacrifices offered to these gods.

Cavustepe Castle, built by King Sarduri II of Urartu in the 8th century B.C., contains ruins of ramparts, an open-air temple, depots, barns, cisterns and palatial buildings. It is located some 25 kilometers to Van.

Chimney rocks of Baskale town, called "Vanadocia" by local people of Van, is a place of magnificent landscape 25 kilometers to Van.

Muradiye Waterfall is one of the haunts in the region in summer time. The 20-meter high waterfall is located 80 kilometers to Van. Tourists can also visit the Cat House to see world-famous Van cats --recognized as an all white cat generally with eyes of two different colors-- on their way to Muradiye Waterfall.

Lake Ercek is also another must-see place for bird watchers.

-BITLIS-

Bitlis, which is a city of culture and civilization with its 5000-year history, is located on the natural passageway between Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions. The city had been home to numerous civilizations and religions in the past and it is a unique province that has been able to preserve its historical structure up until today.

According to sources, Bitlis got its name from Macedonian King Alexander the Great's commander Leis who built an enormous castle in the city upon the king's request. Seeing the glory of such castle, Alexander the Great awarded Leis by assigning him as the governor of the city and later he gave the name "Bedleis" to the province which means "the castle of Leis". This name turned into "Bitlis" in years.

Bitlis has many historical and natural beauties that should be seen by visitors. The excavation work still continues at Bitlis Castle which is located at the centre of the city. Ihlasiye Madrasah built by the Seljuks is another important historical place in Bitlis.

-TATVAN, AHLAT, ADILCEVAZ-

Tatvan, Ahlat and Adilcevaz are three historical towns located around Lake Van.

Mount Suphan, one of the highest mountains in Turkey, as well as spectacular Nemrut Crater Lakes and the Historical Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat, which is the largest Muslim cemetery in the world, are some of the remarkable cultural heritage sites in Bitlis.

Mount Suphan, located within the borders of Adilcevaz town, is 4,058 meters high and it attracts mountaineers from all over the world in certain times of the year.

Nemrut Crater Lakes are located at a 13 km distance from Tatvan and the region is known as the second biggest crater lake area in the world.

Moreover, the historical Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat town comprises of unique tombstones decorated with geometrical shapes, religious texts and interesting figures.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)