Restored 2,800-Year-Old Urartu Cistern in Harput Castle Now Open to Tourists

Anatolia, The Gulf Observer: Tourists can now explore the ancient Urartu water cistern in Türkiye’s eastern Anatolia region, as restoration work on the nearly 3,000-year-old structure has been completed, according to officials. This 2,800-year-old cistern, a significant relic from the Urartu period, was uncovered within Harput Castle, located in Elazig province.

Harput Castle, a historical site that has hosted various civilizations over millennia, has been the focus of extensive archaeological excavation and restoration efforts since 2004. The castle’s origins date back to 3000 B.C., with significant fortifications added later by the Urartu Kingdom. The site is part of the historical Harput city, which is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.

The newly restored cistern, which is 30 meters deep and features 52 steps carved into the natural rock, is the second of its kind to be made accessible to the public. In 2021, another large cistern with 112 steps was restored and opened to visitors. The new cistern will be officially opened to the public once the access road to the site is completed.

Ismail Aytac, the lead archaeologist for the Harput Castle excavation, highlighted the importance of the site, noting that it is one of the largest and most significant cisterns carved into natural rock in Türkiye. He also explained that when the cistern’s water supply was depleted, it was repurposed for food storage.

The Harput Castle contains numerous smaller cisterns, but only two large stepped cisterns have been restored. The first, known as the dungeon, once held a Crusader king prisoner during the Seljuk period. The restoration of these ancient structures offers visitors a unique glimpse into the region’s rich history and the engineering prowess of the Urartu civilization.