Erzurum, Turkey

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Erzurum, Turkey

Region: Erzurum

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Geographic Coordinates: 39.908600, 41.276900

Climate: Cold and snowy winters, mild springs, hot and dry summers, cool and rainy autumns.

Population: 767848

Language: Turkish

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Erzurum, Located in the eastern part of Turkey, Is a city famous for its rich history and stunning natural scenery. It sits at an altitude of 1, 950 meters above sea level, Making it one of the highest cities in Turkey. The city has been inhabited since ancient times and played a significant role in Turkish history. One of Erzurum’s most notable landmarks is its castle built during the Byzantine era and expanded by various rulers throughout history. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city from this castle.

Another prominent site is Yakutiye Medrese, An Islamic theological school dating back to 1310. Erzurum also houses several museums that showcase its cultural heritage. The Archaeological Museum displays artifacts from various civilizations that have lived in the region throughout history while Ataturk House Museum showcases personal belongings and memorabilia related to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who founded modern-day Turkey. The cuisine of Erzurum is renowned for unique flavors such as lamb meatballs (kufta), Stuffed grape leaves (dolma), And flatbread (lavash). Visitors can sample these dishes at local restaurants or food markets.

Nature lovers will appreciate Erzurum’s scenic beauty with nearby mountains like Palandoken Ski Resort offering skiing opportunities during winter months while Uludag National Park provides hiking trails through lush forests during summer months. In addition to cultural attractions, Erzurum hosts several annual festivals such as International Folklore Festival where performers from around the world showcase their traditional dance styles on stage while locals participate with their own performances. Overall, Erzurum offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness that makes it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring eastern Turkey’s hidden gems.

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1. Erzurum Castle
2. Yakutiye Medrese
3. Çifte Minareli Medrese
4. Three Tombs (Uç Kale)
5. Atatürk House Museum
6. Palandöken Ski Resort
7. Tortum Waterfall
8. Aziziye Tabyaları (Aziziye Barracks)
9. Narman Fairy Chimneys
10. Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque

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1. Agriculture: Erzurum is renowned for its agricultural production, which includes wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, and fruits like apples and cherries.
2. Tourism: The city of Erzurum is a popular tourist destination because of its rich history and cultural heritage. It has several historical sites such as the Erzurum Castle, Çifte Minareli Medrese (Double Minaret Madrasa), Yakutiye Medrese (Seminary), and the Atatürk House Museum.
3. Textile industry: The textile industry in Erzurum is thriving as it produces woolen fabrics like carpets and kilims.
4. Construction industry: Due to its growing population, there has been an increase in construction activities in recent years within Erzurum.
5. Education sector: With several universities located within the city such as Atatürk University and İnönü University, education has become one of the major industries in Erzurum.
6. Healthcare sector: The healthcare sector is also growing rapidly with new hospitals being built to cater to the needs of the region’s population.
7. Mining industry: There are also some mining activities taking place within this region with copper mines being one of them.

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1. Battle of Manzikert: In 1071, the Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Manzikert near Erzurum. This victory led to the Seljuks’ domination over Anatolia and paved the way for their eventual establishment of the Sultanate of Rum.
2. Timur: The Central Asian conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) captured Erzurum in 1400 during his campaigns in Anatolia.
3. Ottoman Empire: Erzurum became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1514 after Sultan Selim I defeated Shah Ismail I of Safavid Persia at Chaldiran near Erzurum.
4. Atatürk: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of modern Turkey, visited Erzurum during his military campaigns against foreign powers that occupied parts of Turkey after World War I.
5. Winter Olympics: In 2011, Erzurum was a candidate city for hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022 but lost to Beijing.
6. Yakutiye Medrese: This Islamic theological school was built by Mongol ruler Oljeitu in 1310 and is considered one of Turkey’s finest examples of medieval architecture.
7. Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza’iri: The Algerian freedom fighter Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza’iri was exiled to Erzurum by France from 1847 to 1852 before being allowed to go on pilgrimage to Mecca.
8. Armenian Genocide: During World War I, thousands of Armenians were deported from their homes in eastern Anatolia including many from around Erzurum who were massacred or died due to starvation and disease while en route or imprisoned there by Ottoman authorities.

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1. Erzurum Castle
2. Three Tombs
3. Yakutiye Medrese
4. Çifte Minareli Medrese
5. Ulu Mosque (Great Mosque)
6. Erzurum Archaeological Museum
7. Atatürk House Museum
8. Aziziye Tabyaları (Aziziye Fortifications)
9. Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Tomb
10. Palandöken Ski Resort

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1. Erzurumspor: Established in 1968, Erzurumspor is a football club that has competed in various leagues over the years, including the Turkish Super League, TFF First League, and TFF Second League.
2. BB Erzurumspor: Another football club hailing from Erzurum is BB Erzurumspor. This team was founded in 2005 and started playing in lower divisions before making its way to the Turkish Super League for the first time in 2018.
3. Palandöken Belediyespor: A multi-sport club established in 1996, Palandöken Belediyespor features sections for numerous sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, boxing and taekwondo.
4. Yakutiyespor: Founded back in 1936 as a multi-sport club from Erzurum with sections for various sports such as football, basketball,volleyball , handball and athletics.
5. Karayazı Gençlik Spor Kulübü : Karayazı Gençlik Spor Kulübü is an amateur Football Club based on Karayazı district of erzurum which competes at regional level tournaments

These are some of the most prominent sports teams from Erzurum with impressive histories of accomplishments and triumphs across different levels of competitions spanning several decades.

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1. Erzurum International Snow Festival is an annual celebration that takes place in February to honor the winter season. The festival features snow sculptures, skiing competitions, and other winter sports activities.
2. The Erzurum Kebab Festival celebrates the local cuisine of Erzurum and showcases various kebab dishes prepared by local chefs.
3. The Erzurum Folklore Festival is an event that highlights the traditional music, dance, and costumes of the region’s diverse ethnic groups.
4. Atatürk Commemoration Week is held every November to commemorate the death of Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This week-long event includes cultural activities such as concerts and exhibitions.
5. The International Silk Road Culture Festival takes place every year in June or July to celebrate the historical Silk Road trade route that passed through Erzurum. Cultural performances from countries along the route are featured at this festival.
6. Hıdrellez Spring Festival is celebrated on May 6th each year as an ancient Turkish festival marking the arrival of spring with music, dancing, and traditional rituals.
7. Palandöken Winter Sports Festival is an annual event that occurs in January or February at Palandöken Ski Resort near Erzurum featuring skiing competitions as well as cultural events such as folk dances and concerts.
8. Mevlana Cultural Week is a week-long event held in December to celebrate Rumi’s teachings which include Sufi music performances by famous musicians from all over Turkey.

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• Cağ Kebabı: A traditional dish made with lamb meat, cooked on a skewer over an open flame.
• Ayran: A refreshing yogurt drink mixed with water and salt.
• Piti: A hearty soup made with lamb meat, chickpeas, and potatoes.
• Hamsi Tava: Fried anchovies served with lemon wedges and parsley.
• Kuymak: A cheesy dish made from cornmeal and melted butter.

Some popular restaurants in Erzurum include:

1. Cag Kebapçısı İspirli: Known for their delicious cağ kebabı, this restaurant is a must-visit for meat lovers.
2. Taşhan Restaurant: Located in the historic Taşhan building, this restaurant serves traditional Turkish dishes like piti and kuymak.
3. Yeni Rakıcıoğlu Restaurant: This family-owned restaurant has been serving up delicious food for over 100 years and is famous for their ayran.
4. Şampiyon Kokoreç Salonu: If you’re feeling adventurous, try some kokoreç (grilled sheep intestines) at this popular spot in the city center.
5. Ömer Usta’nın Yeri: This cozy restaurant serves up homemade dishes like stuffed grape leaves and lentil soup at affordable prices.

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1. Palandöken Ski Resort
2. Tortum Waterfall National Park
3. Yakutiye Medrese Mosque and Bazaar
4. Ataturk University Botanical Garden
5. Erzurum Castle and Museum Complex
6. Aziziye Tabyaları Historical National Park
7. Erzurum City Center Park
8. Pasinler Thermal Spring
9. Narman Fairy Chimneys Natural Monument
10. Oltu Canyon National Park

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