Harput Fortress (Harput Kalesi in Turkish) is a magnificent historical site, located on a prominent hilltop (approximately 1230 meters above sea level) overlooking the modern city of Elazig and the surrounding plains. Primarily constructed from local stone and mortar with robust walls and towers. The architecture reflects the different eras of occupation from Urartian times through the Ottoman era.
The earliest known foundations of the fortress are attributed to the Urartians, around 8th Century BC. They fortified the hill, recognizing its strategic advantage for controlling the fertile plains below and trade routes. The fortress remained important under Roman and later Byzantine rule between 1st - 11th Centuries AD. The Byzantines significantly expanded and strengthened the fortifications, making it a key stronghold on their eastern frontier against various empires and incoming Turkic groups. Following the Battle of Manzikert (1071), the region came under the influence of the Seljuk Turks and their Beyliks until 13th Century. Harput was ruled by a branch of the Artuqid dynasty for a period. The fortress changed hands between different Turkmen Beyliks (like the Ak Koyunlu and Kara Koyunlu) and larger empires like the Mamluks and Timurids during the complex political landscape of Anatolia between 14th - 15th centuries. Each ruler likely made modifications or repairs. The Ottomans finally incorporated Harput into their empire in the early 16th century. They undertook significant restoration and expansion work on the fortress. It remained an important administrative and military center for centuries until its gradual decline towards 20th century.
Like many ancient fortresses, it consists of an Outer Fortress and an Inner Fortress situated at the highest and most defensible point. Impressive curtain walls stretch along the contours of the hill, reinforced by numerous towers. The fortress complex includes several large, underground cisterns for storing water. There are foundations and partial structures of various buildings within the walls, including barracks, storage rooms, command centers, a mosque, and possibly a church or chapel from earlier periods.
The "Deep Dungeon" at the fortress was a huge underground space used for different reasons at various historical stages. Besides possible dark dungeons for torture or potential prison cells, they were deep underground water storage areas (cisterns) accessed through shafts or stairs, or used for storing food, weapons, and other supplies.