Happy TravellerNestled in the Muş Province of Turkey, Malazgirt (also known as Malâzgird, Melezgir, and Manzikert) is a municipality that boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique blend of cultures. The city is mostly populated by Kurds with a few Hidden Armenians, and it is the site of the famous Battle of Manzikert. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Malazgirt and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
== History ==
=== Founding ===
Malazgirt dates back to the Iron Age and was established during the reign of the Urartian king Menua (r. 810–785 BC), according to Tadevos Hakobyan. The Armenian name Manazkert is supposedly shortened from Manavazkert (Armenian: Մանավազկերտ), adopted in Greek as Μαντζικέρτ. The suffix -kert is frequently found in Armenian toponymy, meaning built by. According to Movses Khorenatsi, Manzikert was founded by Manaz, one of the sons of Hayk, the legendary and eponymous patriarch and progenitor of the Armenians.
=== Medieval ===
The lands around Malazgirt belonged to the Manavazyans, an Armenian nakharar family which claimed descent from Manaz, until AD 333, when King Khosrov III Arshakuni of Armenia ordered that all members of the family be put to the sword. He later awarded the lands to another family, the Aghbianosyans. Malazgirt was a fortified town and served as an important trading center located in the canton of Apahunik in the Turuberan province of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia. Following the Arab invasions of Armenia in the 7th century, it also served as the capital of the Kaysite emirate from around 860 until 964. Malazgirt was the site of the Council of Manzikert in 726. After the Armenian revolt of 771–772, the Abbasid government encouraged the migration of Arab tribes to the region, which resulted in the settling of Arab tribes near Malazgirt. Under Abbasid rule, the city was a major center of commerce and industry and became one of the main cities in Asia Minor. This flourishing lasted until around the 13th century. In 968, the Byzantine general Bardas Phokas captured Malazgirt, which was incorporated into the Byzantine katepanate of Basprakania (Vaspurakan). In 1054, the Seljuk Turks made an attempt to capture the city but were repulsed by the city’s garrison under the command of Basil Apocapes. The Battle of Manzikert was fought near the town in August 1071. In one of the most decisive defeats in Byzantine history, the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan defeated and captured Emperor Romanus Diogenes, which led to the ethnic and religious transformation of Armenia and Anatolia and the establishment of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and later the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. The Seljuks pillaged Malazgirt itself, killed much of its population, and burned the city to the ground. The city walls were substantially rebuilt during the 12th and perhaps 13th centuries under Seljuk rule. The basic design is a curtain wall with small semicircular towers projecting at intervals. The walls appear to have remained completely intact until about the end of the 18th century.
=== Modern ===
In April 1903, Malazgirt was the location of an earthquake which killed about 3500 people and demolished around 12,000 buildings. In 1915, Malazgirt was part of Bitlis Vilayet and had a population of 5,000, the great majority of them Armenians. The town’s economy revolved around the cultivation of grain, trade, and the production of handicrafts. There existed two Armenian churches, the Three Altars Holy Mother of God (Yerek Khoran Surb Astvatsatsin) and St. George (Surb Gevork, called St. Sergius by H. F. B. Lynch), and one Armenian school. Like many other towns and villages during the Armenian genocide, its Armenian population was uprooted and subjected to massacres.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, Malazgirt has something to offer. Visit the site of the Battle of Manzikert and learn about the city’s rich past, explore the stunning landscapes of the Muş Province, or indulge in the local cuisine and experience the unique blend of cultures that make Malazgirt a truly special destination. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem in Turkey!
