#Selami Korkutata

"Eski Kahta" will rise with tourism

The village of Eski Kahta on the route of Mount Nemrut includes Kahta Castle, Cendere Bridge, Karakuş Tumulus and Arsemia Ruins. The village, where some films were shot, including "Çirkinler De Sever", starring Müjde Ar and İlyas Salman, which won the "Best Film" award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in 1982, was hosting many tourists every year before the earthquake. The earthquakes that took place on February 6 in Eski Kahta, which is an important center of the region in terms of tourism, caused minor damage to 2 houses and some historical buildings. In order for the village to regain its old charm in tourism, the Kahta District Governorate started to work. "A film project will take place next month" Kahta District Governor Selami Korkutata told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the earthquake caused destruction in the region. Stating that Eski Kahta is the first settlement of the district, Korkutata said, "Eski Kahta is a village. We will ensure the transformation of this village as well. We will try to make it more like a accommodation center together with the castle. We will try to make it even more beautiful with our restorations and repairs." Korkutata stated that several films were shot in the village before, and that there are some organizations that they are currently negotiating with. "They are planning to shoot a movie here and there will be a movie project next month. There are other projects we are discussing. It is an excellent opportunity to use the historical place and ground of this place to revive it." He also said that the village is an important center within the tourism destination. Korkutata emphasized that tourism points did not feel much impact from the earthquake disaster, and noted that there were only minor scraps at some points. "Especially Nemrut, Kahta Castle, Arsemia Ancient City and Karakuş Tumulus in the same destination are our very valuable historical values in this region. Our Kahta Castle has another special point. It is a 2,000 year old castle. This is a castle used by Commagene, Romans and Mamluks. We know that the inner parts of the castle are still tremendously protected." Korkutata said that even the earthquake disaster could not affect the historical castle. Korkutata pointed out that life in the region cannot be normalized unless it brings tourism, working life and education to a standard level. Korkutata stated that the studies on this subject will continue, "We know that our tourism region can still operate as before and that we can provide our services with this quality. We welcome all our citizens here. We want it to continue in the same way as it was in the past."