The City of Harput

   Huris which have settled in Anatolia during BC 2000 are the first settlers of Harput. The area have been dominated by the Hittites later on. Starting from 9 century BC. 9. Urartus which have established a civilization and dominated the eastern part of Anatolia for long years. Harput, has lived under the military and politic influence of Romans from time to time between 1 – 3 centuries AC.

   Starting from the era of emperor Dioclatianus dueing the 3rd century the area has been controlled completely by the Roman Empire. Harput which has passed to the control of Byzantines has been dominated by Arabs during the 7th century after Ömer has concurred Syria and Iraq. The area lived under the Byzantine sovereignty for a second time between 10th and 11th centuries.

   The area has been defined as Harpote according to the Byzantium historical sources. The era in which Harput which was occupied in 1085 by Seljuks Turks has been referred to as the era of Çubukoğulları because the first commander of Harput was Çubuk Bey. During the era of Artukoğulları the area has became a small city and the era lasted until 1234. During the later periods the area went under the occupation of İlhanlılar, Dulkadiroğulları and Akkoyunlular.

   After Harput has been concurred by Ottomans in 1516 and has became an inner city rather than a border city and was left far from main roads; Mahmut the Second had made renovations in the eastern area (1834) in order to efficiently give governmental services and constructed a hospital, a military base and armories. The city which has been reconstructed during this era has became a state first and than turned to a city.

   The new city was called Mamura-ül Aziz during the reign of Sultan Abdul Aziz (1867) and was referred to as “Elaziz” by the public. When Atatürk visited the city in 1937 has named it as ELAZİK which meant “Azık İli” (City of Provisions) and then the name was turned in to ELAZIĞ. The ancient city of Harput is still alive as an open museum 5 km north of the city Elazığ with its historical castle and other buildings.