Palu Attractions
Above Palu, a town set amid fertile plots on the north bank of the Euphrates (Murat Nehri), a fortress of Urartian origin caps the crest of a steep hillside overlooking the ruins of Eski Palu (Old Palu). There is a staircase tunnel dating from the same period in the northwest side of the hill and, on the west side, an isolated boulder with an inscription by King Menua. Archeologists suspect that a Urartian settlement lies hidden beneath the ruins of the old town.
In the form seen today the fortress is attributed to the Genoese. Also on the hill are the remains of two mosques and a church. It was from Palu that H. von Moltke set out on his journey downstream by kelek (a raft made from 60 animal skins) to investigate whether the Euphrates was navigable.
Pinar Tepesi, the hill to the west of the town, has proved a rich source of archeological finds from the Chalcolithic period (fourth millennium B.C. right up to the Middle Ages.
In the form seen today the fortress is attributed to the Genoese. Also on the hill are the remains of two mosques and a church. It was from Palu that H. von Moltke set out on his journey downstream by kelek (a raft made from 60 animal skins) to investigate whether the Euphrates was navigable.
Pinar Tepesi, the hill to the west of the town, has proved a rich source of archeological finds from the Chalcolithic period (fourth millennium B.C. right up to the Middle Ages.
