There’s a Place Called Batman and No

Back in 2008, a mayor sued the Dark Knight mastermind Christopher Nolan not because the movie was anything short of amazing but because the mayor wanted Nolan to know that the name Batman was rightfully theirs.

Slice of History

Nestled in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey lies a province called Batman. Before it was a quiet village named Iluh but during the 1940's, oil was discovered in the area and it became abundantly rich. It wasn't long until the little humble town turned into its own district and changed its name to Batman, a term derived from "Bati Raman", a mountain near the rivers in which the city is surrounded with in the year 1957. Others speculate that the city got its name from an ancient measure called batman.

Lawsuits and Publicity

The mayor of Batman Huseyin Kalkan sued Christopher Nolan for using the city's name without permission. "There is only one Batman in the world," Kalkan said in a statement back in 2008 and continues, "The American producers used the name of our city without informing us."

The mayor also pointed out that the film was to blamed for the increase of female suicide rates and unsolved murders that transpired in the city. No actual lawsuit was ever materialized.

Tourism

Apart from being a major source of oil, Batman, Turkey has become known for its picturesque views, close proximity to the Tigris River, discovery of archaeological finds as well as a Dervish monastery.

If travelers ever want to visit Turkey for an offbeat travel and to bask in the rawness and rustic terrains of the extremely diverse country, then Batman is the place to be.

Surreal mountain and rock formations can be seen, others built through piles of rocks while many are lush with greens. If tourists intend to take a lot of photos, they shouldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph the big rocks, seemingly appearing as small islands in the middle of the rivers.

It's a paradise for those who want to be far away from the bustling cities and swarms of tourists and be in the kind of 'middle of nowhere' that's breathtaking.