29/1/2008
ERZURUM
Category: Belirtilmemiş
ERZURUM
Erzurum, which is located on a plateau at an altitude of 1,950 m/ 6,400 ft, is the largest city in Eastern Anatolia. Erzurum has very old origins extending back to about 4000 BC. Since antiquity Erzurum has been located on a caravan route from Anatolia to Persia, and has also been an important strategic centre. The region was conquered by the Urartians, Cimmerians, Scyths, Medes, the Persians, the Romans. However, it actually gained importance after it became a Byzantine stronghold and the fortress of Theodosiopolis was built. The religious divergence between the Armenians and Greeks often gave rise to clashes between the two populations. Taking advantage of the situation, the Sassanids temporarily occupied the city in the early 6th century. In 632, the Byzantines held a synod to impose on the Armenian Church to join the principles of the Greek orthodoxy. In 651, the place fell to the Arabs who called it "Erzen er-Rum" (the land of the Romans) or “Arz-er Rum” from which its present name is derived. Erzurum was in turn occupied by the Arabs and the Byzantines who made many attempts to take back the city. From 923, Byzantine general John Kurkuas defeated the Arabs on several fronts. The city was then handed to the governorship of the Armenians, and about 978, under the name Karin, it was incorporated into the Armenian Bagratid Kingdom. From 1049, the region was invaded by the Seljuks and the city fell into their hands in 1071 after the Battle of Manzikert where they defeated the Byzantines. The city, which had become very prosperous under the Seljuk rulers, came under the domination of the Mongols in the mid 13th century and was occupied by Tamerlane in 1400. Erzurum was finally united to the Ottoman Empire in 1514 by Sultan Selim I.
Erzurum was occupied in 1828, 1878, and 1916-18 by the Russians. It was returned to the Ottomans with the Peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 3, 1918). On July 23, 1919 the Congress was held in Erzurum under the chairmanship of de Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). During this congress, the foundations of national unity and independence movements were laid.
Erzurum has the bad reputation of beeing the second coldest city (after Kars) in Turkey. Located only a few kilometers away from Erzurum at an altitude of 2,150 m/ 7,053 ft to 3,100 m/ 10,170 ft, Palandöken is a very well equiped and successfull ski resort due to long-lasting winters (ski season lasts from early December till May) and beautiful pistes.
The speciality of the region is the "oltu taşı" or “Erzurum stone”, a black or brown-veined volcanic glass (obsidian) used in the making of jewels and other hand crafted articles.
Javelin Games are held every year in April-May.
Erzurum is linked by daily flights to Ankara and Istanbul.
Places of interest in the city:
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Ulu Cami, the oldest mosque in Erzurum (1179), has a beautiful wooden dome and seven wide naves. |
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The Yakutiye Medresesi, built in 1310 by Cemaleddin Hoca Yakut Gazani in the name of Gazanhan and Bolugan Hatun in the time of Sultan Olcayto, is one of the rare monuments of the Ilkanid Period left in Anatolia. It houses the Turkish - Islamic Works and Ethnographical museum.
Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque is a 16th century mosque built by the great architect Sinan.
The "Türbe" : Üc Kümbetler (the three tombs) : the largest tomb, Emir Sultan Türbesi, belongs to Emir Sultan who was the founder of the Saltukid emirate. The identity of the other two is unknown.
Further down stands the Hatuniye Türbesi (1255), the tomb of Alaeddin Keykubat's daughter. These two türbes are the best examples of domed tombs.
The Castle which Byzantine origins date back to the 5th century, was rebuilt by the Seljuks (1124-1132) and used as military barracks until recently. The mosque is a good architectural example from that period. The Clock Tower was built in the 19th century on the bases of a Seljuk watchtower.
The Rüstem Pasa Caravanserai and the Bedesten (covered bazaar).
The Aziziye monument commemorates the Turko-Russian War.
The Archaeological Museum.
The Congress Museum: the building were the congress was held also serves as Fine Arts School.
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The Atatürk Museum, installed in a late 19th century mansion, is located in Çaykara Avenue. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Hüseyin Rauf Bey and his companions settled in the Governor’s residence on 9 July 1919 for 52 days until 29 August 1919 for the preparation and during the Erzurum Congress.
