About Erzurum
Erzurum, the largest city in the Eastern Anatolia Region, is a very old settlement. Located at the foothills of Palandöken Mountain, the city has gained significant importance in winter tourism in recent years. The city, which resembles a cultural center with its many historical artifacts, currently holds significant tourism potential (https://erzurum.ktb.gov.tr/TR-56044/genel-bilgiler.html).
Çifte Minareli Medrese
Çifte Minareli Medrese, a symbol of Erzurum, is a Seljuk monument. It is generally accepted that it was built in the late 13th century. It is also known as Hatuniye Medrese, as it is thought to have been commissioned by Hundi Hatun, the daughter of Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat, or Padişah Hatun from the Ilkhanid Dynasty.
The decorations on the portal of Çifte Minareli Medrese are particularly remarkable examples of the depth and aesthetic understanding of Seljuk stone carving. The decorations predominantly feature botanical elements. Palmette and rumi motifs are used extensively, and their harmony is noteworthy. On the western side of the portal, a life tree composed of a double-headed eagle, the symbol of Central Asian Turks, two open-mouthed snakes, and a leaf with lobes is depicted.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/cifte-minareli-medrese)
Tortum Waterfall
One of the largest waterfalls in the world, Tortum Waterfall is one of the best examples of natural beauty. Tortum Waterfall was formed by the overflow of Tortum Lake over the landslide mass in Tev Valley. It has a width of 21 meters and a height of 48 meters. The observation balcony in front of the waterfall attracts great interest from visitors. It is believed that the observation stairs prevent shortness of breath and heart problems.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/tortum-selalesi)
Three Tombs
The Three Tombs are among the finest examples of monumental tombs in Anatolia. The largest of the three tombs is believed to belong to Emir Saltuk and was constructed in the late 12th century. The identities of the other tombs are unknown, but they are estimated to have been built in the 14th century.
Emir Saltuk Tomb is made of cut stone. It has an octagonal body, a high drum, and is covered with a dome and a conical, low-profile cap. The tomb, made of two-colored cut stone, features animal reliefs such as bull, snake, bat, and eagle in the triangular pediments, round-arched drum niches. These reliefs resemble zodiac figures found in Central Asian Turkish calendars. Within one of the niches, a human head relief between bull horns is particularly notable. Four pairs of windows are located on four of the eight facades of the Emir Saltuk Tomb. On the cornices of the entrance door on the northern side of the tomb, geometric decorations and floral and animal figures can be seen.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/uc-kumbetler)
Tomb of Abdurrahman Gazi Hazretleri
The Tomb of Abdurrahman Gazi Hazretleri is located at the foothills of Palandöken Mountain, 2.5 kilometers southeast of Erzurum. Abdurrahman Gazi Hazretleri, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, is also believed to have served as his standard-bearer. The tomb, which has been visited since the 16th century along with a dervish lodge, was built in 1796 by Ayşe Hanım, the wife of Erzurum Governor Yusuf Ziya Pasha, and a mosque was added next to it.
The inscription above the entrance gate of the tomb, dated 1796, was written by Calligrapher Salim. Inside the tomb, there is a 4.85-meter-long makam (symbolic grave) of Abdurrahman Gazi Hazretleri. Over time, the area around the tomb has been afforested and turned into a recreational area.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/abdurrahman-gazi-hz-turbesi)
Yakutiye Madrasa Museum of Turkish Islamic Art and Ethnography
Yakutiye Madrasa was built in 1310 by Hoca Yakut Gazani in the name of Ghazan Khan and Bolugan Hatun during the reign of Ilkhanid ruler Sultan Olcayto. Yakutiye Madrasa, the largest of the closed courtyard madrasas in Anatolia, is one of Erzurum’s most magnificent structures with its layout, balanced architecture, and large patterned decorations.
The tomb adjacent to the eastern wall of Yakutiye Madrasa is made of brick. The structure, which has three windows, is covered with a cap. On the right and left sides of the courtyard, there are six barrel-vaulted rooms arranged opposite each other. From the room at the right corner, one can also access the minaret. On the vault to the south, there is an endowment inscription listing the names of six villages dedicated to this madrasa, written in Thuluth script on marble. The minaret, adorned with interlocking geometric patterns and tiles, has an animated appearance with embossed cords. One of the thick-bodied minarets at the corners either collapsed long ago or was never built. The base of this minaret is covered with a conical cap. The rooms for students and teachers were designated according to their class and rank, which is why each room has a distinct design at the entrance. Restored in 1995, the madrasa is now used as the Museum of Turkish Islamic Art and Ethnography.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/yakutiye-medresesi)
Erzurum Grand Mosque
Erzurum Grand Mosque, also known as Atabey Mosque due to the Saltukids’ title “Atabey,” was built in 1179 by Saltukid Emir Nasreddin Aslan Mehmet. During the reign of Sultan Murad IV, the mosque was used as a food depot and has been repaired five times at various dates. Erzurum Governor Hüseyin Pasha repaired it in 1639, followed by Ali Efendi in 1826, and further repairs in 1858 and 1860. The mosque was last restored by the General Directorate of Foundations between 1957 and 1964.
On the right side of the mosque, there is a single-balcony minaret with a round body made of brick. The minaret is accessible from inside the mosque. The part above the balcony has collapsed. The mosque, illuminated by 28 windows, has a repair inscription dated 1826 above the second window on the south side. The dome, called “Swallow Dome,” constructed in an overlapping manner, is believed to be part of the original structure.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/ulu-cami823578)
Erzurum Castle
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/erzurum-kalesi)
Erzurum Fortifications
The history of the first fortifications built in Erzurum dates back to the Ottoman-Iranian war in the 18th century. However, the largest fortifications were constructed from the early 19th century onwards to protect the city from Russian raids and invasions in Eastern Anatolia. There are 22 of these strategic structures built on high hills around the city. These fortifications include headquarters buildings, military barracks, training fields, mess halls, cisterns, and ambush rooms. They sometimes consist of a single building, and sometimes a combination of several large structures. The most important of these fortifications are Mecidiye and Aziziye, located just east of the city.
All fortifications were built from stone, focusing on durability and utility rather than architectural style. The fortifications consist of adjacent rooms covered with a thick layer of earth. On the side away from the direction of the enemy, there are meeting courtyards for soldiers, and sections such as storage and infirmaries. The largest part of the fortifications contains barracks rooms, which are rectangular and interconnected. The rooms are 3-4 meters wide and 6-14.5 meters deep. Most barracks rooms are single-story, but some have been divided into two stories with wooden beams to save space. These fortifications (Mecidiye and Aziziye) played a critical role in halting the Russian advance during the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War, known as the “93 War.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/erzurum-tabyalar)
Öşvank Church
Öşvank Church is located in Çamlıyamaç Village, Uzundere District. It is famous for its colorful stone decorations and relief figures. According to the inscription found in the southern arm of the church, it was built between 963-973 by Magistras Bagrat, son of Adarnase III, during the Georgian Bagratid Dynasty. The architecture of the church, dedicated to John the Baptist, belongs to Grigor of Oshki. The large dome of the structure was repaired between 1022-1028 by Byzantine Emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII.
The church features numerous frescoes, created in 1036 by Jojil Potrikios. The drum of the dome has twelve windows. The outer faces of these windows are bordered with embossed moldings. These pointed, slender windows reflect the Gothic style. Although the church has a cruciform plan with external transepts, it has a three-lobed section formed by the apses and a long nave in continuation. The bases of the columns inside the structure are adorned with vegetal motifs and religious images. The apse is partially destroyed, and one of the columns in the portico of the additional section on the front facade has been replaced with a tree trunk. The western transept is surrounded by additional spaces from the west, north, and south facades. The two-story northern space belongs to the original structure, while the southern and western ones were added later. The church contains various sections such as a bath, dormitory, baptistery, priests’ houses, kitchen, and library.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/osvank-kilisesi)
Haho Church / Stone Mosque
Haho Church, also known as Stone Mosque, is located in Bağbaşı Village of Tortum district. The structure, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary, was built by Bagratid King David III between 976-1001. Converted into a mosque in the 19th century, the building was renamed Stone Mosque. The structure combines the plan of a closed Greek cross with a basilica. The reliefs inside the building prominently feature figures such as lions, bulls, eagles, and griffins. Additionally, the walls of the interior, especially the apse, are adorned with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and portrayals of Jesus and Mary. The apse section of the church rises in the form of a tower. The interior of the building is accessed through a round-arched door in the middle of the long sides.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/haho-kilisesi-tas-cami)
Atatürk House Museum
The museum is located on Çaykara Street, Çaykara Avenue. It was built as a mansion by a wealthy person from Erzurum at the end of the 19th century. The building was used as the German Consulate for a short period of about nine months in 1915-1916, and after the liberation of Erzurum on March 12, 1918, it was given to the Erzurum Governorship as a residence. Governor Mahir Akkaya resided here until July 3, 1919, and after he left Erzurum, the mansion became vacant.
After Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s arrival in Samsun and coming to Erzurum for the congress, he and his friends Hüseyin Rauf Bey and others settled in this mansion on July 9, 1919. They continued their work on the Erzurum Congress here for 52 days until August 29, 1919, giving the mansion historical significance. After Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha left Erzurum, the house was again used as the governor’s mansion.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/ataturk-evi-muzesi581028)
Oltu Russian Church
The Oltu Russian Church is located in the Oltu district center, to the east of the city. The building, which does not have an inscription, is known to have been constructed by the Russians between 1885 and 1890 following the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878. The Oltu Russian Church consists of rectangular spaces supported by rectangular pillars measuring 32×15 meters, with a ciborium-style dome flanked by two rectangular areas. The long facades to the north and south are kept short. The west facade features ornate, round-arched entrance doors that protrude slightly outward in the center. The apse on the eastern side is elevated, making the cross plan more prominent in the upper structure.
(https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/oltu-rus-kilisesi)
