800-year-old bathhouse moved from ancient Hasankeyf in southeastern Turkey

Relocation of a historic bathhouse started early Monday in southeastern Turkey's Batman province.

The 800-year-old Artuklu Hamam is being transported from the ancient city of Hasankeyf — which will be flooded due to construction of the Ilısu dam nearby — to the new Hasankeyf Culture Park above the water line.

The 1,500-ton building will travel 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) on a 256-wheeled Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT).

Authorities are working to save all the important historic sites of Hasankeyf gradually by moving them to the park before the construction of the dam is completed.