Eğil Castle & Prophets' Tombs
Eğil Kalesi ve Peygamber Kabirleri
An ancient castle on a gorge of the Tigris, with Assyrian-era rock tombs carved into its cliffs. The hilltop tombs of the prophets Zulkifl and Elisha are important pilgrimage sites, and the castle overlooks the Dicle Dam reservoir.
Eğil lies about 50 km north of Diyarbakır. Its ancient castle sits atop towering limestone cliffs and has passed through Assyrian, Roman, Arab, and Ottoman periods. The cliff faces are carved with Assyrian reliefs and rock tombs. After the Dicle Dam was built, the gorge was flooded into a turquoise lake that can be explored by boat, and the view of the reservoir and gorge from the castle is spectacular. The tombs on the hillside are said to hold the prophets Zulkifl and Elisha. Restored, they have become a popular pilgrimage site, with viewing trails and tea gardens nearby. The site is reachable only by private car or hired vehicle, and a round trip takes about half a day.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Çayönü & Hilar Caves
- Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum
- Hazreti Süleyman Mosque
- İçkale & Diyarbakır Archaeology Museum
- Great Mosque of Diyarbakır
- Hasan Paşa Hanı
- Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church
- Dengbêj House