Erzincan
Erzincan, one of the important cities in the region, lies 688 km east of Ankara on a fertile plain, The highly-decorated and hand-fashioned copperware of Erzincan maintains a long tradition in the area’s fame for metalwork.Erzincan is located at the upper region of Fırat River in the Eastern Anatolian Region Anatolian Region and the city is one of the oldest cultural centers of Anatolia in the Turkey.
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.
Places to Visit;
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) is an ancient city 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 is located at the Tercan district. Mama Hatun, who was the daughter of Saltukoğulları Monarch Izzettin 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.
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 is the most important characteristic of the Otlukbeli Lake, 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 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) is located on the Keşiş Mountain, and beside its natural beauty the lake displays the characteristics of being a crater lake. Caves Glacier Caves 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 is located at the southeast of Kemaliye district and contains galleries and channels. Köroğlu Cave is located at the Altköy locality of Refahiye district and the cave is reached via stone stairs.
Museums
Erzincan Museum is worth visiting and can be reached at phone number +90(446)214 8021
The Erzincan valley crossed by the upper Euphrates was the location of the most important pre-Christian shrine in Armenia, dedicated to the Armenian goddess Anahit. The temple, whose site has not yet been identified, was in a settlement called Erez. The text of Agathangelos records that during the first year of his reign, King Trdat went to Erez and visited Anahit’s temple to offer sacrifice. The king ordered Gregory the Illuminator, who was secretly a Christian, to make an offering at its altar. When Gregory refused he was taken captive and tortured, starting the events that would end with Trdat’s conversion to Christianity some 14 years later.[3] After that conversion, during the Christianisation of Armenia, the temple at Erez was destroyed and its property and lands given to Gregory. It later became known for its extensive monasteries. In 1071 Erzincan was absorbed into the Mengüçoğlu under the Seljuk Sulëiman Kutalmish. In 1243 it was destroyed in fighting between the Seljuks under Kaykhusraw II and the Mongols. However, by 1254 its population had recovered enough that William of Rubruck was able to say an earthquake had killed more than 10,000 people. During this period, the
