Hasankeyf brings together museum finds, structures from several periods and unusual rock architecture. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between these topics: the museum displays finds from Hasankeyf and other areas, while the archaeological site reveals a long history of construction. Individual mosques, the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum and the bridge add their own historical and architectural touches.

Museum Finds from Hasankeyf and the Region

The Hasankeyf Museum displays Neolithic stone and bone finds from Hasankeyf Höyük and other excavation sites. These are joined by finds recovered during rescue excavations carried out as part of the Ilısu Dam and HEPP Project in the provinces of Batman, Diyarbakır, Siirt and Mardin. The collection therefore relates to more than a single findspot.

The prehistoric tools on display include obsidian and flint pieces from surface surveys in the Tigris Valley and on Mount Raman. Their material and origins distinguish these finds from the Neolithic stone and bone collections from Hasankeyf Höyük. Those interested in the history of the area can thus gain insight into different groups of finds without conflating them with a single excavation site.

Building History and Rock Architecture

Significant structures and building complexes from the East Roman, Artuqid, Ayyubid, Aq Qoyunlu and Ottoman periods have been uncovered in Hasankeyf’s archaeological site. The different periods give its historical context a wide chronological range. Thousands of structures carved into the rock, known as cave dwellings, have also been preserved in the same area. Building complexes and a large number of rock-cut structures therefore stand side by side as different forms of architectural heritage.

The Zeynel Bey Mausoleum is one example of the area’s design. It was built for Zeynel Bey, son of the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan. The mausoleum is cylindrical on the outside and octagonal on the inside. Turquoise and dark-blue glazed bricks, mosaic tiles and a Kufic Arabic inscription complement its distinctive form. Its geometry, color and script make the building a clearly defined subject within Hasankeyf’s diverse architecture.

Relocated Structures and Historical Details

The mausoleum’s present location is also part of its history: in 2017, it was moved out of the area flooded by the Ilısu Reservoir and relocated two kilometers away to Hasankeyf’s New Cultural Park. The Artuqid Bath was also relocated; its move to the New Cultural Park took place between 2017 and 2019. These dates distinguish the two relocations without presenting them as a single event.

Hasankeyf’s Ulu Mosque was built over the remains of an ancient structure in the first half of the 14th century, during the Ayyubid period. The El-Rızk Mosque was built in 1409 by the Ayyubid Sultan Süleyman. Only its minaret and parts of the northern façade, including the portal, survive. The two building histories have different chronological and architectural emphases.

Hasankeyf Bridge is also described as one of the largest stone bridges of the Middle Ages. However, it has not been confirmed that it was built by the Artuqids in the 12th century. This distinction matters when comparing historical attributions: its classification as a significant medieval stone bridge is accompanied by an explicitly uncertain claim about who commissioned it.

Tradition and Getting Your Bearings Before the Trip

The İmam Abdullah Zaviye at Hasankeyf Bridge is honored each year during the first week of June by people from Hasankeyf and the surrounding villages. Vows are made near the tomb during this week. If you would like to plan your trip around this tradition, check the dates in advance.

A route map is provided for Hasankeyf Inner Fortress. In a statement dated February 13, 2026, the Ministry announced that the archaeological site had reopened to visitors after construction work was completed; the Arkeopark was excluded. Check current access before your trip so that the historical reopening is not mistaken for a guarantee of access today.

Discover more destinations: Batman, Sarıkuş, Derince

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