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Bitlis
Bitlis stands in a narrow stream valley, just in the middle of a green oasis.
Due to its location, it is an important center for tobacco and honey production
in eastern Turkey. A Byzantine castle with polygonal towers dominates the town.
There are several mosques in the town, such as the Ulu Mosque of the 12th
century and the Serefiye Mosque.
The city is surrounded by walnut trees, and if you are traveling through Bitlis
in autumn, you will have the chance to buy some of these delicious nuts from the
children who sell them by the highway. Local folk dances of Bitlis are also very
famous. 25 kms northeast of the city, is the harbour town of Tatvan, from which
there are passenger and train ferry connections across the lake to Van.
Mount Nemrut, is a perfect opportunity here for mountaineers and nature lovers (not
to be mistaken with the magnificent mountain of the same name, which has giant
statues on top). This is an inactive volcano with a deep, clear and cold crater
lake, also having hot volcanic springs.
Ahlat is a very important ancient center of Turkish art and culture, located to
the west of Lake Van (44 kms north of Tatvan). The town looks like an open air
art museum, with remains from various centuries and civilizations. The
mausoleums from the Seljuk period, the Ulu Kumbet, Cifte Kumbet, Baymdir Kumbet
and Hasan Pasa Kumbet are several to be visited. Here are also artisticly carved
monumental tombstones from the 12th century which deserve the fame they have
received. There are fine beaches and restaurants in the town. 25 kms north of
Ahlat, there is the ancient Urartian city of Adilcevaz where precious and
important remains have been found. The Ulu Mosque, on the shores of Lake Van,
and the Kef Castle from the Seljuk period, are to the west of Adilcevaz. The
great Mount Suphan is, of course, the most attractive spot in Bitlis. You may
climb Suphan in summer when it is perfect for trekking. Some travel agencies
have tours to Suphan.
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