İnformation About Erzincan

Area: 11.903 km² 

Population: 316.841 (2000)

Traffic Code: 24 

Erzincan is located at the upper region of Fırat River in the Eastern Anatolian Region and the city is one of the oldest cultural centers of Anatolia. The city is located on the way of the ancient and historic silk road and had entered under the reign of Hittite, Urartu, Med, Persian, Hellen and Roman civilizations and after the Victory of Malazgirt, the city had entered under the dominance of Turkish and Ottoman States. With the combination of cultural riches and the natural beauties, geography, traditional cuisine and shopping possibilities, the city is like a heaven for touristic activities. 

Districts: Erzincan (center), Çayırlı, İliç, Kemah, Kemaliye, Refahiye, Tercan, Üzümlü.

How to Get

Highway: Reaching the bus station is possible via shared taxis and public buses.
Railway: Reaching to the railway station is possible via shared taxis and public buses. There are daily train journeys between Erzincan and Divriği. Also the eastern Express has every day journeys. 
Airway: The distance between the Erzincan Airport and the city center is 7 km. The transportation is possible via taxis. 

Where to Visit

Castles

Kemah Castle: The foundation of the Kemah Castle, which is one of the oldest and natural castles of Anatolia, reaches to the period of Hittite - Urartu. The castle was constructed over steep rocks and has two structures, one inside the other and surrounded by ramparts.

Ancient Cities

Altıntepe (Golden hill): This ancient city is 15 km. from the city center, and is at 100 meters south of Erzincan - Erzurum highway. The city is the only and most enduring Urartu city, which was able to survive onto present day. At the scientific excavations and researches in 1959, a temple - palace complex surrounded and protected by two castle walls, one around each other, tombs, residentials and numerous archeological works were discovered. 

Among the works belonging to the 8th century B.C discovered in the tumulus, there are ivory and metallic objects, helmets and shields, ceramic objects and wall tiles. The names of the kings were discovered on a bronze object written in cuneiform writing. These high level art works belonging to the most advanced period of Urartu art are exhibited in the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum. The figures and motives of gods, humans and animals hold an important place among the Altıntepe findings. The Altıntepe ruins are composed of temple - palace complex, acceptance hall with pillars, an open air temple, three tombs and a depot building.

Religious Monuments

The Terzibaba Mausoleum, Hıdır Abdal Sultan Mausoleum and Melik Gazi Mausoleum in the city are among the historical places worthy to visit. The Gülabibey Mosque in the Kemah District is still in use at the present day.

Mama Hatun Külliyesi: It is located at the Tercan district. Mama Hatun, who was the daughter of Saltukoğulları Monarch İzzettin II, had constructed a large külliye( complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque) in Tercan during the reign of Saltukoğulları State which was composed of caravanserai, bathroom, small mosque and her own mausoleum. This külliye was counted as the most interesting and important creation of Turkish architecture of Mediaeval Era 

Abrenk Church: The date of 1854 was inscribed on the entrance gate of the church located at the vicinity of Üçpınar Village of Tercan district. There is a chapel and two obelisks with the church. These stones had attracted attention with their architecture and decorations and carry epitaphs dated at the period of Seljuk Prince Nasurettin after the 12th Century.

Promenade

Otlukbeli Lake: The most important characteristic of the Otlukbeli Lake is its being unique among the lakes of the world known to mankind until now with the formation and calyx of the lake. The lake is qualified as a natural monument because of this characteristic. Otlukbeli Lake had been announced to be natural preservation field by the decision of the Erzurum Preservation Committee of the Culture and Nature Riches and had been under preservation.

Girlevik Waterfall: The waterfall is located in the Çağlayan Stream which is at 29 km southeast of Erzincan, and is a promenade location famous for its natural chill and beauty. Girlevik Waterfall allows a suitable medium for climbing as Stalactites form in winter season and a chilly water for cooling in summer season and therefore attracts numerous local and foreign tourists to the region.

Aygır Lake (Stallion Lake): The lake is located on the Keşiş Mountain, and beside its natural beauty the lake displays the characteristics of being a crater lake.

Thermal Resorts

Ekşisu: (Böğert Mineral Water) The Böğert Mineral Water, which is also called Ekşisu (Sour water) is located in a region 11 km. away from the city center and has important aspects for health. The mineral water is good for some particular diseases as anemia, liver diseases, stomach diseases, intestines and galls.

The water of the thermal spring in the vicinity of Ekşisu is 33 0 C. The water of the thermal spring is used for bathing and is known to assist to cure rheumatism, skin diseases, vein toughness and hearth discomforts. The thermal spring is in service with 12 closed pools.

Caves

Glacier Caves: They are located at the Ayranpınar village of Kemah district. There are large ice blocks and stalactites and stalagmites of ice inside the cave.

Ala Cave: The cave is located at the southeast of Kemaliye district and contains galleries and channels.

Köroğlu Cave: The cave is located at the Altköy locality of Refahiye district and the cave is reached via stone stairs.

Sporting Activities

Akbulut Ski Centers: At the Yıldırım Akbulut Ski Facility, which is located at the Sakaltutan locality, 42 km. away from Erzincan, it is possible to ski throughout the 5 months of a year.

Bolkar Ski Center 

Hunting: City of Erzincan has rich hunting sources and hunting animal varieties. Fox, marten, kınalı keklik (partridge with henna), kum kekliği ( partridge), rabbit, island rabbit, quail, rock dove, üveyik (stock dove), wild ducks, sakarca gooze, kızkuşu , karatavuk (black chicken), wolf, wild boar inhabit the region.
Plateau Hiking: This activity is executed at the Küçük Çakırman Village locality and Yaylabaşı stream Ergan hill.

Rafting and Water Ski: The Karasu and Sansu Creeks, which are the branches of Fırat River are located at 40 km. distance to the Erzincan city center and both are suitable for the rafting sport. Reaching to the Rafting course is easy and this course is on Erzincan - Erzurum Highway. This sport is done especially during May - June.

Water skiing is possible in Erzincan Dam and Tercan District Tercan dam Lake. The Erzincan Dam is located at 16 km. away from the city center, to the southwest of the city.

Trekking: The suitable courses for trekking sport could be counted as; started from Central Yaylabaşı Municipality to Munzur Melan plateau; started from Karakaya Stream to Tekçam - Keşiş mountains then Aygır lake - Esence peak; started from Karakaya Stream to Sarıgöller direction, Keşiş mountains, Aygır lake and Esence peak; starting from Çayırlı Esendoruk village to Keşiş Yedigöller - Esence peak; started from Çayırlı - Turan meadow Aksu creek to Keşiş mountains, Yedigöller region - Esence peak.

Geography

Erzincan displays the characteristics of terrestrial climate. Erzincan encounters a longer and hotter summer season when compared to the neighboring provinces..

History

Erzincan is located on the ancient and historical Silk Road and inhabited a vigorous historical and cultural liveliness among centuries. 
The settlement of Erzincan extends to the Bronze Age and the city had been under the dominance of Urartu, Med, Persian, Hellen, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. After 1071 the city was conquered by Turks and encountered the periods of Mengücek, Seljuk and Eretna. After the war of Oltukbeli in 1473, the city had entered under the reign of Ottomans.

Where to Eat

The regional food varieties are rich in meal types. Most of these meals are pastries. Eşgili, kesme çorba (flour soup) and yaprak sarma (leaf wraps) are the major meal types. Also su böreği and especially kete and desserts are consumed widely.

What to Buy

Among the authentic souvenirs of Erzincan, the hand crafted copper works (samovar, trays, trinkets, wall plates, sugar bowls, vases), carpet weaving could be counted. 

It is suggested to buy Erzincan fried roasted chickpeas and Erzincan Tulum Peyniri (Bagpipe cheese) at the shopping in Erzincan.

Don't Leave Without

- Visiting Altıntepe city ruins, 
- Seeing Mama Hatun Caravanserai, Terzi Baba Mausoleum and Kemah Castle, 
- Eating trout by the Erzincan Girlevik Waterfall, 
- Watching the city view from Esentepe, 
- Drinking natural mineral water in Ekşisu promenade field from the spring and swimming in the natural Jacuzzi, 
- Buying Erzincan copper hand crafts and Erzincan fried roasted chickpeas and Erzincan Tulum Peyniri (Bagpipe cheese)