An important cultural and historical landmark in Kalkanlı is the Şeyh-Abdurrahman-Arvasi Medrese. It brings together a local history of teaching and a three-storey architectural design. The area’s history can be traced through this institution and other religious connections.
The Medrese and the Area’s Religious History
Şeyh Abdurrahman Arvasi lived in Kalkanlı, founded a medrese there, and taught at it. His personal connection to the village therefore encompassed residence, founding the school, and teaching. The building is made of masonry and has three storeys; it features a central hall and bay windows. Taken together, these details give a sense of both the building’s overall form and some of its individual interior elements. Those interested in the history of religious education or architecture can explore two related but distinct aspects of the building: its role in local history and its architectural design.
A historic mosque is located near the medrese. It is another religious landmark in the village and complements the history of the school with a second historic site. A further historical connection relates to Çerçağ: modern-day Kalkanlı is associated with Şeyh Abdülbârî-i Çerçâğî. This connection is distinct from Arvasi and his school; the two names refer to different historical associations, not to two spellings of the same person. Those exploring local history can therefore consider the history of the medrese and the connection to Çerçağ as separate threads.
The Valley, Pass and Roads
Kalkanlı lies in a valley that opens onto a challenging mountain pass. This description of the terrain provides a landscape setting for the village. Kalkanlı is also on the road between Bahçesaray and Hizan. For travel planning, the valley and pass answer a different question from the road connection: the landscape provides context for the location, while the road shows where Kalkanlı lies in relation to two named places. Another connection to Bahçesaray belongs explicitly to the past. When the settlement of Isbayerd was still inhabited, its historic eastern route to Bahçesaray passed through Kalkanlı. Thus, Kalkanlı’s location on the road between Bahçesaray and Hizan and Isbayerd’s former connection to Bahçesaray can be understood as two separate geographical links.
On 13 June 2024, the Hizan District Administration inspected work on the construction of a new road in Kalkanlı. For specific travel arrangements, it is advisable to check the current route. On the same date, Hizan district authorities described the roads in the district’s villages as sometimes long and geographically challenging; they also referred to improvements intended to make access to the district easier. The two notices concern different scales: the report from Kalkanlı refers to work on a new road locally, while the authorities’ description concerns roads in villages across the district. A local construction update and a general regional assessment therefore appear side by side.
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