Hizan

History

Hizan is located in the valley of the Gindig Su, a tributary of the Botan River. In this area, the Gindig Su generally flows from north to south, but its course is very snaky and "often deflected by the butts of the mountain crests". Its valley is steep and rocky and, at least historically, covered with oak trees. This area, along with the neighboring district of Müküs, formed part of the ancient province of Moxoene. The Hizan district was historically somewhat remote and isolated - especially the side valleys of tributary streams, which are separated from each other by mountains and historically formed a place for Christian monasteries. However, during the Middle Ages, some caravan traffic passed through the valley as an alternative to the Bitlis pass. The route came from Siirt, crossed the ridge on the valley's west side, and then reached the old town of Hizan before then branching in two - the main route went northwest to the Güzel Dere ("beautiful creek"), while a side route went east to the Müküs valley. Eski Hizan, the old site of Hizan, is located at the opening of one of the side valleys. The site is now occupied by the village of Sirmaçek. The old town walls are 230 m from east to west and 200 m from north to south; immediately below the north wall is a ravine which would have determined the shape of the fortifications. The rectangular shape may indicate an ancient Roman foundation (or re-foundation of an earlier site), during the period from 298 to 363 when they controlled Moxoene. Most of the walls and towers, however, date from much later, probably from the 15th-16th centuries. The walls are still standing to their original height on most of the south and west sides, but on the north side only the foundations remain. Beginning in perhaps the…