Our District
DOĞANŞEHİR
Doğanşehir has an area of 1,290 square kilometers, a population of 38,136 according to the 2021 census, and is located 58 kilometers from Malatya. The district is situated at an altitude of 1,290 meters, encompassing both plains and mountainous regions. To the east, it borders Çelikhan (Adıyaman), to the south are Besni and Gölbaşı (Adıyaman), to the west is Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş), and to the northeast are Akçadağ and Yeşilyurt districts.
The main source of income for the district is agriculture. In the rural areas, fruit growing and animal husbandry are common practices. Doğanşehir is known for its delicious apples and dry beans, which are famous in the Malatya region.
The district, believed to have been founded by the Romans and named Zipetra by the Byzantines, was also under Arab control at one point. In 1399, it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire by Yıldırım Beyazıt. The district was looted by Timur in 1401 and came under Ottoman control again in 1515. Up until 1877, the district was referred to as Viranşehir or Harapşehir. During the 1877-78 Russo-Turkish War, the district became known as "Muhacir Köyü" (Immigrant Village) due to the settlement of people from the east. The name was changed to Doğanşehir in 1933. Once a village under Akçadağ, it became a district in 1946.
Doğanşehir and its surroundings are rich in historical remains. The district contains numerous mounds, fortifications, archaeological settlements, rock tombs, ancient cemetery sites, and mosques. In 2007, a colorful floor mosaic from the Roman period was found in the Sekili-İçmece area of Günedoğru village. This mosaic, made from fine tesserae, depicts a grazing deer among geometric patterns. It is currently on display at the Malatya Museum.
Some of the notable places to visit in the district include the Sürgü Dam, Polat Fish Plateau, Sulu Cave, Şakşak, Sürgü, Takas, Harapşehir İçmeceleri, Beypınarı, Acıpınar Plateau, Sıtmapınarı, Yıldızsubaşı, Çığlık Forests, Kayapınarı, Sürmeli Spring, Erkenek, Sakaltutan Spring, Değirmen Stream, Reşadiye Spring, and Topraktepe.
The district has a total population of 47,191, including its towns and villages. The names of the towns and villages in the district are: Altıntop, Beğre, Bıçakçı, Çavuşlu, Çığlık, Çömlekoba, Dedeyazı, Elmalı, Eskiköy, Fındıkköy, Gövdeli, Günedoğru, Gürobası, Hudutköy, Kadılı, Kapıdere, Karaterzi, Kelhalil, Koçdere, Küçüklü, Örencik, Polat, Polatderesi, Söğüt, Suçah, Şatırobası, Topraktepe, Yolkoru, Yuvalı, Sürgü, Erkenek, Karanlıkdere, Kurucaova, Reşadiye, and Savaklı.
HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT
The exact founding date of Doğanşehir is unknown, but it is understood from historical research that it was under Roman control between 66 BC and 295 AD. During this period, the inner castle fortifications in the district center are believed to have been built by the Romans to spread Christianity in Asia. The remains of watchtowers found in Kadılı, Eskiköy, and Polat suggest that these areas were used as military bases. During the Byzantine era, the district was initially known as Züpetra (also spelled Zapetra, Zipetra, or Subatra). Despite reconstruction during the Abbasid era, the Byzantines regained control over the region. Between 1101 and 1105, the district came under the control of the Danishmendids and the Seljuks, respectively. In 1398, the district was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire by Yıldırım Beyazıt. It was later looted by Timur, leading to the district being referred to as Viranşehir (Ruined City). Excavations from the Timur period indicate that the district suffered a major fire, as evidenced by burned human and animal fossils. In 1515, Yavuz Sultan Selim permanently incorporated the district into the Ottoman Empire.
ROMAN PERIOD
Although the exact founding date of Doğanşehir is not known, it is believed to have been under Roman control between 66 BC and 395 AD. The remains of the inner castle in the district center date back to the Roman period. These structures were likely built by the Romans to spread Christianity to Asia. Remains of watchtowers found in Kadılı (Sancar), Eskiköy (Erkenek), and Polat suggest that the area was used as a military base and that these were former settlement centers. The remains of a church from the Roman period further support the idea that the Romans aimed to spread Christianity. From 395 to 656 AD, the district was under Byzantine control and was known as Züpetra (or variants such as Zapetra, Zipetra, Subatra).
After the Seljuks and Danishmendids fought over the region, the district came under the control of the Seljuks in 1105. The district, along with the surrounding area, became part of Turkish rule from that point onward.
BEYLİK PERIOD
During the Beylik period, after Malatya and the surrounding region fell under the rule of Sultan Kılıçarslan in 1157, the Danishmendids regained control of the region in 1171. The Danishmendids ruled over the area until 1226. In 1236, Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat of the Seljuks, who was ill in Aleppo, decided to rest in Zipetra (Doğanşehir). He rebuilt the district, including constructing a second layer of walls in the eastern and northern parts and adding a mosque where the current central mosque stands. He also inscribed a memorial plaque on the gate, marking the district's reconstruction.
OTTOMAN PERIOD
The district was under the control of the Seljuks until 1398, when it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire by Yıldırım Beyazıt. After a period of looting by Timur, the district was known as Viranşehir. In the early 16th century, the district was permanently integrated into the Ottoman Empire. The district was later part of the administrative structure of the Ottoman Empire, initially governed as Subadra under the Besni district. It remained a significant location throughout Ottoman rule.
REPUBLIC PERIOD
From 1855 to 1929, the district was part of the Sürgü district and governed under the Besni province. In 1924, the district became a town center, and in 1929, it separated from Besni and was attached to Akçadağ. In 1933, following a visit from Prime Minister İsmet İnönü, the town's name was officially changed to Doğanşehir, as he believed the name "Viranşehir" (Ruined City) no longer suited the town. In 1946, Doğanşehir became an independent district of Malatya, and the first municipal council was established, with Esat Doğan elected as the first mayor.
