Kale (District)

Malatya’s eastern edge, along the banks of the Fırat River, imagine a place where you can feel both the coolness of the water and the warmth of the sun.

This is Kale, a name derived either from an ancient castle or from a long-established tribal group that settled in the region. Have you ever wondered about a city whose physical remains lie beneath the waters, yet whose memories still live on? Let us explore this district together!

^{Kömürhan Bridge (generated by artificial intelligence)}

The history of Kale district dates back centuries, to a time around 430 years ago when it was known as “İzollu.” In historical registers from 1560, the area is recorded as “İzoli Komri,” corresponding to today’s Kömürhan region. At that time, Turkmen groups lived in harmony with nature, spending summers in the highlands of Erzurum and winters in Diyarbakır.

Although the district is still locally referred to as “İzollu,” it was officially granted district status on 20 May 1990 and adopted its current name. As you walk through Kale, you are literally treading on a settlement site with thousands of years of history.^【1】

Kale’s geography serves as a vital corridor between Elazığ and Malatya. Before the waters of the Karakaya Dam Lake filled the valley, there stood a significant ancient settlement known as Pirot Höyüğü.

This mound and its ancient artifacts, believed to have been left behind by the Byzantine Empire, now lie submerged beneath the dam waters, silently awaiting discovery as witnesses to history.

Bordered by Elazığ to the east, Battalgazi to the west, and Pütürge to the south, Kale enjoys milder winters than the rest of Malatya thanks to the Karakaya Dam Lake. In summer, visitors are greeted by the glittering surface of the lake and lush green orchards.

^{Kale Apricot Orchard (generated by artificial intelligence)}

The people of Kale are highly industrious, and nearly everyone is engaged in agriculture. This is one of the renowned regions in Malatya for cultivating apricots. In spring, the entire landscape blooms with white flowers, while in summer, the branches bend under the weight of golden apricots.

Is it only apricots? No! In recent years, local children and families have begun cultivating bright red strawberries. Moreover, the people of Kale greatly value reading and education; as a result, the district boasts an exceptionally high literacy rate of nearly 96 percent.

• Prehistoric Times: The first human settlements on the lands of Kale.
• 1560: The first recorded mention of the village of İzollu in Ottoman archives.
• 1760: Turkmen groups establishing tents and leading a semi-nomadic lifestyle in the region.
• 20 May 1990: Official establishment of Kale as a district.