- Title: Historic mosque moved from ancient Turkish town before dam waters rise
- Date: 16th December 2019
- Summary: OLD HASANKEYF, TURKEY (DECEMBER 16, 2019) (REUTERS) HISTORIC ER RIZK MOSQUE FROM 15TH CENTURY MOSQUE PLACED ON A TOW TRUCK BEING PREPARED TO BE TRANSPORTED WHEELS OF TOW TRUCK VARIOUS OF TOW TRUCK CARRYING THE HISTORIC MOSQUE DRIVING AWAY VARIOUS OF MOSQUE BEING TRANSPORTED WHEELS OF TOW TRUCK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MOSQUE BEING TRANSPORTED AS SEEN FROM DISTANCE
- Embargoed: 30th December 2019 14:13
- Keywords: Hasankeyf Turkey controversial dam project historic mosque
- Location: OLD HASANKEYF, TURKEY
- City: OLD HASANKEYF, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BA86VDL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Turkey began relocating a historic mosque on Monday (December 16) from the ancient town of Hasankeyf that will soon be underwater as part of a controversial dam project.
Built in 15th century, Er Rizk Mosque is the last structure to be relocated from 12,000-year-old Hasankeyf before the ancient town is fully submerged by the floodwaters of Turkey's fourth biggest dam, Ilisu.
Turkey started to fill the dam further downstream on the Tigris in July where villages have already been vacated and are now partially submerged. Water is expected to start rising in Hasankeyf, located in the southeastern province of Batman, in the next few months.
In a bid to attract tourists to the area, eight historic structures, including a massive tomb, an ancient Turkish bath and Er Rizk Mosque are being moved from the old town to Yeni Hasankeyf.
Authorities said the mosque will be relocated in four parts and the first part was transported on Monday.
The Ilisu Dam, expected to be operational for 50 years, will generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, making it Turkey's fourth-largest dam in terms of energy production. But it has been criticised by activists who say the dam, once completely filled, will have displaced 78,000 people from 199 surrounding villages and risks creating water shortages downstream in Iraq.
Hasankeyf was used by the Romans as a fortress town to ward off the Persians. The town was later destroyed by the Mongols and rebuilt in the 11th century by Seljuk Turks.
(Production: Umit Ozdal, Bulent Usta) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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