Main Attractions in Erzincan

The Kemah Castle is one of the oldest and natural castles in Anatolia. It is situated amidst a dramatic rocky backdrop and is bound by towering ramparts. Dating back to the period of Hittite - Urartu, the castle is a must-see for the history buffs.

The city is replete with ancient buildings and relics that speak of a past long forgotten. One aspect of this past is the spirit of religious tolerance that pervaded the city. Thus there is the Abrenk Church to visit near the Üçpinar Village of Tercan district. This is a place worth visiting for the sake of its splendid architecture, embellishments and stone works.

This district also houses an important Turkish architectural specimen of the Medieval Era, namely the Mama Hatun Külliyesi. This 12th century structure is actually an amalgamation of a caravanserai, bathroom, small mosque and a mausoleum, all replete in their striking stone carvings, constructed by Mama Hatun, the daughter of Saltukogullari Monarch Izzettin II.

Within the city, the Terzibaba, Hidir Abdal Sultan and the Melik Gazi Mausoleums and the Gülabibey Mosque in the Kemah District are some of the other spectacular religious monuments to visit when in Erzincan.

A veritable treasure trove of history is at the ancient city of Altintepe (Golden hill), 15 kilometers from the Erzincan city center. The city's tremendous historical significance arises from it being the only surviving Urartu city and thus is the only place where you can find remnants of a faithful Urartu lifestyle. Around here, there are relics of a temple-palace complex, a temple, residential quarters and numerous tombs.

The Altintepe ruins have yielded a vast number of ivory, ceramic, bronze and metal objects, helmets and shields and exquisitely designed wall tiles. However, the piece de resistance is the collection of motifs and figurines of gods, human beings and animals. All these findings point to an Urartu civilization where art and crafts reached its zenith.

The artworks of Urartu are on display at the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum.