Erzurum - The Citadel of East Anatolia

Twin Minaret Madrasah

Erzurum is a real historical treasure, with its centuries-old mosques, forts, towers and large tombs with dome shaped or conical roofs. The Twin Minaret Madrasah, the symbol of the city, dates back to the Seljuk period. The architrave of its portal, with its stone carvings, is among the most beautiful examples of Seljuk art. The minarets on either side of the portal are 26 meters high and decorated with turquoise colored glazed tiles. Üç Kümbetler, a group of three tombs, is one of the monumental structures in Erzurum. The largest of these tombs is the tomb of Emir Saltuk, the founder of the Saltuk State. The tomb is constructed according to an octagonal plan. The most interesting mosques in the city are the Grand Mosque, built in the 12. century, and Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque built in the 16. century. The Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai was built by Rüstem Pasha, the Grand Vizier of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The caravanserai, which displays the characteristics of 16. century Ottoman architecture, is still in use as a market place. In it are the workshops processing the famous Oltu stone (jet).

The Aziziye Monument, which was erected to commemorate the heroism of the people of Erzurum during the Ottoman-Russian War in 1878, is one of the most important monuments in the city. The forts built to defend the city of Erzurum during the war are strategically located on the surrounding hills. The building where the Erzurum Congress was held on July 23, 1919, has been converted into a museum as a reminder of this important gathering.

The Palandöken Ski Center is 5 km. to the south of Erzurum. It is one of the longest and steepest ski runs in the world. The length of the chair lift is 3,237 m. and the difference in altitude between starting and finishing points is 1,000 m. Among the other places of interest in Erzurum are Tortum Lake and Waterfall with its steep cliffs; Çobandede Bridge, which has a length of 220 m. and was built by the Seljuks on the Aras River in the 13. century; and the Pasinler and Oltu citadels.

Mountains and Vineyards. The people of Erzurum describe their city as a place surrounded by mountains which has vineyards in the center, and this indicates the geographical outline of the city. The province is surrounded by mountain ranges both in the south and north. There are fertile lands in the river basins between these mountains. Erzincan Plain, where Erzincan province is located, is covered with vineyards and has been the cradle of many great civilizations since the early ages of history. Karaparmak grapes from the Erzincan vineyards are especially famous. The traditional craft of coppersmithing is still preserved in Erzincan. The Mamahatun Tomb and Caravanserai, built in the 12. century, are located in Tercan. These structures have interesting and unique plans. Alt1ntepe (1000 B.C.), which was an important settlement of the Urartians, the citadel at Kemah, the large Melik Gazi Tomb and Gülali Bey Mosque (12. century) are among the other historical structures located around the city.

Article Source: EzineArticles