Harput Castle
According to historical sources, Harput Castle was founded by the Urartian Kingdom in the 8th century BC. From the 6th century BC, it came under the rule of the Persians. Between the 1st century BC and the 11th century AD, it witnessed great struggles between the Parthians, Romans, Sassanids, Byzantines and Abbasids, and continued under Byzantine rule until the end of the 11th century. During this period, Ziata Castellum and Kharpete, the castle called Hısn-ı Ziyad in Arabic, was under the rule of Çubukoğulları in 1085, Artukoğulları in 1112 and Seljuks in 1234. The castle became the government center of Çubuk Bey, Artuklu Bey Belek Gazi and Seljuk Bey Alaeddin Keykubad, and changed hands frequently between Dulkadiroğulları and Akkoyunlu states in 1366. Harputlu Castle was captured by Akkoyunlu Ruler Hasan Bahadır Khan in 1465 and was taken under Akkoyunlu administration. The Harput Region and its Castle came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in 1515 during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. Various legends are told about Harput Castle. According to a rumor, it is said that due to the water shortage experienced during the construction of the castle, milk was used instead of water in the preparation of the mortar by the order of the ruler of the time, and that's why the castle was called "Milk Castle". The repairs made during the Artuqid Period contributed greatly to the preservation of the Harput Castle, which consists of two parts, the inner castle and the outer walls, as an original structure. The castle was later repaired during the Dulkadiroğulları, Akkoyunlu and Ottoman periods. The outer walls of the castle were completely destroyed. The castle, which was built on plain rocks and is very difficult to besiege, is a large neighborhood with a hospital, granary, mint, water cistern, arsenal, mosque and many civil buildings.
