Yuksekova history

Ancient Roots and Foundation

Yuksekova is a city with a centuries-old history, located in the southeast of the territory now occupied by Turkey. The exact date of the settlement's foundation is lost in the mists of time, but it is known that people inhabited this fertile valley as early as the era of the Urartu Kingdom. Historically, the city was known as Gever, while its modern name, meaning "High Plain", appeared later as a reflection of the area's geographical features.

Factors of Formation and Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by a combination of natural and strategic advantages:

• Unique Geography: The city is situated on a vast plateau at an altitude of approximately 1,950 metres above sea level. The plain, surrounded by mountains, created natural protection and favourable living conditions.
• Commercial Significance: Proximity to the borders with Iran (Persia) made this area an important hub on ancient caravan routes. Merchants used the valley as a convenient corridor for crossing the difficult Zagros mountain ranges.
• Political Influence: Over the centuries, the region passed under the control of various empires—from Urartu and Assyria to the Ottoman Empire—each contributing to the architectural and administrative appearance of the city.

Early Economy and Culture

The region's economic foundation historically relied on agriculture and transit trade. Thanks to the fertile soils of the plateau, local residents successfully engaged in growing crops and raising livestock, which allowed them to provide food not only for themselves but also for passing caravans. The cultural environment was formed through the constant interaction of different peoples, which is reflected in local traditions of hospitality and craftsmanship.

Key Historical Milestones

The history of this land is inextricably linked to changes in the borders of ancient empires and administrative reforms. Below are the key events that influenced the development of the city.

• 9th–7th centuries BC: The territory of modern Yuksekova is within the sphere of influence of the Urartu civilization, serving as an important point in the mountain valley.
• 1514: After the Battle of Chaldiran, the region passes under the administration of the Ottoman Empire, becoming part of its eastern domains.
• 19th Century: The settlement is known by the historical name Gever and functions as a centre of local trade within the Van Vilayet.
• 1923: With the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, the city and surrounding lands become part of the new national state of Turkey.
• 1936: Yuksekova receives official administrative status as a district (ilçe) within the restored Hakkari Province.
• 2015: The opening of the Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport took place, significantly improving transport accessibility to the region for tourists and locals.

Key Stages of City Development

Modern Yuksekova has come a long way from a small stop on a trade route to an important economic centre of the region. The city's development was determined not only by its strategic position on the border but also by major infrastructure projects implemented in recent decades.

• Obtaining Administrative Status (1936): The official approval of the city as a district centre within Hakkari Province laid the foundation for the creation of government institutions, hospitals, and systematic urban planning.
• Development of Border Trade (Esendere Checkpoint): The modernization and active operation of the customs crossing with Iran turned the city into a key logistics hub. This ensured constant trade turnover and became the main driver of the local economy.
• Opening of Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport (2015): The launch of its own air harbour was a turning point, connecting the remote mountain region with major metropolises for which Turkey is famous. This radically improved transport accessibility for business and tourists.
• Educational Impulse: The opening of a vocational school (Meslek Yüksekokulu) under Hakkari University attracted students to the city, rejuvenated the population, and contributed to the development of the cultural environment.
• Modernization of Urban Infrastructure: In recent years, a large-scale reconstruction of the road network and engineering communications has been carried out, allowing the city to cope with rapid population growth.
• Tourism Development in the Cilo Mountains: The popularization of nearby glacial lakes and the Cilo-Sat mountain range as a destination for trekking and mountaineering has begun to turn the city into a base for eco-tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Environment

The architectural landscape of the city of Yuksekova differs from classic tourist centres. Here you will not find lavish Baroque or Gothic styles; the city's appearance is shaped by the harsh mountain climate, functionality, and a rich historical heritage rooting back to the Urartu era. The urban development represents a contrasting combination of traditional low-rise houses and modern neighbourhoods that have grown on the wide plain.

Traditional Architecture and Historical Features

The historical development of the region was dictated by the need for survival in conditions of snowy winters and hot summers. Before the onset of active urbanization, the folk style characteristic of Eastern Anatolia prevailed in architecture.

• Materials and Forms: Traditional houses were built of stone and adobe brick. A characteristic feature was thick walls for thermal insulation and flat earthen roofs, which were covered with snow in winter, serving as additional insulation.
• Layout: Old neighbourhoods formed spontaneously, with narrow winding streets protecting against the wind. Windows were made small to keep the heat inside the dwelling.

Modern Urban Planning

In the second half of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, Turkey set a course for the modernization of its eastern provinces, which radically changed the face of the city. Thanks to its location on a flat plateau, Yuksekova, unlike many mountain cities, has the opportunity to expand according to a regular plan.

• Era of Functionalism: The basis of the modern housing stock consists of multi-apartment buildings made of reinforced concrete. This is practical architecture, devoid of excesses, designed to provide housing for the growing population.
• Wide Avenues: The geography of the "High Plain" allowed for the laying of wide central streets and boulevards, along which the commercial life of the city is concentrated—shops, cafes, and hotels.
• Public Buildings: Modern administrative buildings and schools are built in a restrained style, often with elements of neoclassicism or using national motifs in facade decoration.

Landmark Structures

Although few ancient monuments have survived in the city itself, several objects form its visual dominance today:

• Central Mosque (Merkez İhsaniye Camii): A striking example of modern religious architecture in the Neo-Ottoman style. The building with a high dome and minarets serves as the main landmark in the city centre and the spiritual centre of the community.
• Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport: An example of modern transport architecture. The terminal is designed in a high-tech style using glass and steel, symbolizing the region's openness to the world and its technological development.

Distinguished Personalities

The cultural and historical heritage of the region is closely intertwined with the fates of poets, thinkers, and statesmen. Below is a list of significant persons whose lives or names are inextricably linked with the city of Yuksekova and the province of Hakkari, which is part of the country of Turkey.

• Seyyid Taha-i Hakkari
  Spiritual leader, theologian, and educator (19th century)
  An outstanding Sufi sheikh and scholar who had a huge influence on the spiritual life of Eastern Anatolia. For a long time, he held the post of mufti (chief religious judge) in Gever—as Yuksekova was historically called. His activities turned the city into an important educational centre, where students flocked from different corners of the Middle East.
• Gülten Akın
  Poetess and lawyer (1933–2015)
  One of the key figures of modern Turkish literature. In the 1950s, she lived in Yuksekova, where her husband served as the district head (Kaymakam). The harsh beauty of the highlands and the difficult daily life of local residents inspired her to create deep and touching poems that became classics of Turkish poetry.
• Salah al-Din (Saladin)
  Great commander and ruler (1137–1193)
  Although the legendary sultan was not born in this city, his figure is a symbol of valor and honor for the entire region. As a sign of respect for historical heritage, the modern airport of Yuksekova, connecting the city with the rest of the world, bears the name of Selahaddin Eyyubi.
• Ferit Edgü
  Writer, screenwriter, and essayist (born 1936)
  A man of letters who revealed the unique atmosphere of this land to the world. Working as a teacher in a snow-covered mountain village in Hakkari Province, he wrote the famous novel "A Season in Hakkari" (Hakkari'de Bir Mevsim). The book became a kind of artistic calling card of the region, describing its harsh climate and human warmth.
• Yılmaz Erdoğan
  Actor, director, and playwright (born 1967)
  A native of Hakkari Province who became one of the most recognizable stars of Turkish cinema. In his films and stage works, he tells about the lives and traditions of his fellow countrymen with love and humour, popularizing the culture of the region at the national and international levels.