Defining the History of Bitlis' Urban Development Through the Memories of Travelers

This study explores the historical and spatial evolution of Bitlis, a province in Eastern Anatolia, through the narratives, maps, and visual records of travelers who visited it over the centuries. It examines how these textual and visual accounts act as cultural representations that reflect—and in turn shape—the province’s urban memory and morphology. By analyzing the relational dynamics between geography, architecture, and social life, the paper traces how Bitlis’ urban macroform evolved across different historical periods. The research adopts a qualitative approach, combining historical cartography, travelers’ interpretations, and urban mapping techniques. The findings reveal that topography, waterways, and political transformations were decisive in shaping the province’s spatial growth, while travelers’ depictions provide an alternative archive of cultural perception and spatial identity. Ultimately, the study positions Bitlis as a layered urban landscape where geography and cultural narrative intersect, offering insights into the continuity and transformation of historical cities in Anatolia.