Elazığ Old Government Mansion, built in 1896 by Governor Enis Pasha, is a three-story historical structure featuring an ashlar stone façade and arched windows, standing as one of the earliest examples of National Architectural Style in Elazığ.
Built in 1896 by the governor of the era, Enis Pasha, the building originally served as a government house. It is considered one of the earliest examples of the National Architectural Style in Elazığ. It stands as one of the few surviving representatives of late Ottoman bureaucratic structures of its kind. The building consists of three floors: a basement, ground floor, and upper floor. The ground floor is built entirely of cut ashlar stone, featuring projecting corners accented by stone piers.
It features two entrances facing north and south. The southern entrance is reached through a deep iwan via two oval staircases. The main northern gate originally featured a balcony overhang and portico, though the porticos were later removed. The capitals of the piers supporting the arches are decorated with relief volutes and palmette branches, while the keystones feature scrolling vine motifs. The ground floor corridor measures 6x36 meters, while the upper floor corridor is approximately 4x29 meters, with all rooms opening onto these long central hallways. There are 12 rooms on the ground floor and a total of 33 rooms throughout the building, including later additions. The total building footprint covers 970 square meters.
It was officially registered as a protected immovable cultural property in 1973 and re-registered in 1985. As the building is still used as a public institution today, tourist visits are limited to admiring its exterior architecture.
Best Time to Visit
Exploring central Elazığ is generally more pleasant during spring and autumn. Summer heat can make walking around the city center uncomfortable around midday. If you want a clear view of the stonework on the mansion's façade, opt for morning hours when the sunlight angle makes the stone relief carvings stand out more clearly.
How to Get There
The building is located on Gazi Avenue in the Çarşı Neighborhood. Situated right southwest of İzzetpaşa Mosque, you can easily spot the mosque and walk to the mansion. Public bus lines 1, 4, 6, 63, and 77 stop right by the building; the closest bus stop is Cumartesi Pazarı Yolu, just a minute's walk away. If you arrive by private vehicle, finding parking around the central bazaar may take some time.
Location in the City Center
The mansion sits in Çarşı Neighborhood, one of the busiest hubs in Elazığ. Nearby attractions include the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) and İzzetpaşa Mosque, along with other historical and everyday sights. It makes most sense to include this site as part of a general central walking route rather than a standalone destination.
How Much Time to Spend
Spending 15 to 20 minutes is sufficient to examine the exterior façade and take photos from a few angles. Since the building is an active government office, going inside to tour the rooms is not permitted. Therefore, visits remain short and focused on exterior architecture.
Suggested Route
The most practical way to visit is by adding it to your central bazaar walking tour. You can walk a few minutes from İzzetpaşa Mosque to reach the mansion, then continue towards the covered bazaar. If you wish to visit Harput Castle on the same day, note that it is somewhat far from the center, so planning it as a separate excursion is more comfortable.
Things to Keep in Mind
As the structure currently functions as a government office, tourist entry inside is not available. To avoid disappointment, keep in mind beforehand that your visit will be limited to an exterior architectural walkthrough. As security personnel may be present, maintaining a polite distance while taking photos is recommended.
Photography Spots
The iwan-style southern entrance flanked by two oval staircases is the most striking feature to photograph. The main northern gate is also suitable for close-up shots featuring the relief volutes and palmette motifs on the corner piers. Stepping back slightly across the street allows you to frame the entire three-story façade for a complete architectural shot.
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