Eğil

Eğil (pronounced eh-eel) is a town in Southeastern Anatolia, with a predominantly Kurdish population of 4600 in 2022. It's part of Diyarbakır province and easily reached from that city, but has become cut off from the east as a barrage lake now floods the Tigris valley. The main reason to visit is the lakeside shrine known as the Prophets' Tombs.

Eğil is 45 km north of Diyarbakır on a road branching off D885 towards Ergani. This road continues north to Dicle, so satnav may try to turn you around to Dicle University in Diyarbakır.

Eğil used to be a crossing point on the River Tigris, but a barrage lake has engulfed the lower village and bridge, and there's no ferry.

Dolmuşes run hourly from Batı İlçe Otogarı (West Garage) in Diyarbakır from 07:45 to 16:45, taking an hour. There's no public transport from Ergani.

A drivable road leads to the castle and Prophets' Tombs. The tombs are 2 km from town centre, walking distance but the sun is fierce.

• Devegeçidi Bridge is at the junction where the road from Diyarbakır to Eğil branches from D885. First built in 1218, it's a sturdy basalt arched bridge 300 m west of the modern highway. The approach lane from the south side is 2WD drivable with care but from the north is atrocious.
• Town centre is modern. The main street Sunay Cd forms a terrace overlooking the valley, bookended by two mosques in Ottoman Baroque trad style.
• 38.25540.09231 Eğil Castle is a high point east side of town, with a few scraps of masonry. It's variously ascribed to the Assyrians, Hittites or Urarteans. Free to enter, you just come for the view over the barrage lake.
• Rock tombs have been cut around town and along the valley walls. The rock's softness means the river has cut a deep gorge, and the lake that now fills it is a good viewing spot for the tombs.
• 38.253240.09862 Prophets' Tombs (Eğil Peygamberler Kabri) lie within a shrine 500 m east of the castle. It's claimed to hold the tombs of nine prophets, notably Elyesa (Elijah) and Zülkifl (probably the same fellow as Ezekiel); the others are Harun-i Asefi, Hallak, Harut, Zünnun, Hürmüz, Ömer and Danyal. The shrine was relocated here when the valley below was flooded.
• Tomb of Hallak is also said to lie in the cemetery west edge of town, where the historic road diverges from Yeni Dicle Cd the new highway. Good luck finding it in this overgrown mess.

• Boat trips putter along the Tigris barrage lake. You'll find them by the quay.

There's a collection of eating places in town centre around Sunay Cd, and another by the boat quay.

Cafes may serve alcohol. This area is relaxed about drinking and used to have vineyards, though they have withered.

Eğil has no visitor accommodation, so day-trip from Ergani or Diyarbakır.

As of Aug 2026, Eğil and its approach roads have only patchy mobile coverage. Finish any important calls before leaving Diyarbakır, the signal dies midway.

• Diyarbakır 45 km south is a large city, with an old town and citadel behind black basalt walls.
• Ergani 34 km west is a mining town fallen on hard times, as its metal ores are worked out. But Çayönü 7 km south is a very ancient settlement.