Sivas is a city in the heart of Anatolia, known for its rich history, spiritual heritage, Seljuk-era architecture and crucial role in the formation of modern Turkey.
Sivas is a symbol city of Anatolian identity, where East meets West and antiquity meets modernity.

📍 Geography and climate

• Region: Central Anatolia

• Population: about 400,000

• Elevation: 1285 metersabove sea level

• Climate: continental

  • Summer: is hot and dry (+28-32°C)

  • Winter: is cold and snowy (up to -15°C).

• Feature: the city is located on the ancient caravan route - the Silk Road, which made it one of the most important trade and cultural centers in the history of Anatolia.

The surrounding nature of Sivas is plateau, mountain ranges and the valleys of Kizilirmak and Tozlu rivers. The air here is fresh and the landscapes are reminiscent of ancient Anatolian paintings.

🏛 History

The history of Sivas goes back thousands of years:

• The first settlements here appeared more than 4000 years ago.

• In the Hittite era the city was called Šuppara.

• In antiquity - Megalopolis, and then Sebasteia (Sebasteia) in the Roman period.

• In the Byzantine era - an important fortress on the eastern borders of the empire.

• In the XI-XIII centuries, Sivas becomes one of the centers of the Seljuk Sultanate of Ruma, a time when the city experienced a cultural and architectural flowering.

• During the Ottoman era, it became the administrative and educational center of Anatolia.

• In the 20th century, it was here, in 1919, that the Sivas Congress (Sivas Kongresi) was held under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a crucial step towards the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

📜 The Sivas Congress (September 4-11, 1919) approved the principles of Turkish independence and became a turning point in the national liberation movement.

🕌 Architecture and attractions

Sivas is an open-air museum of Seljuk architecture, where magnificent madrasas, mosques and caravanserais have been preserved.

🏛 Gök Medrese.

• It was built in 1271 by the grand vizier Sahib Ata Fakhreddin.

• The name "Gök" means "heavenly" - due to the tiles of sky-blue color.

• It is famous for its double minarets and stone patterns with Kufic script.

• Today, it houses a museum of Islamic art and archaeology.

🕌 &C cedil;ifte Minareli Medrese (Çifte Minareli Medrese)

• Symbol of the city.

• Built in 1271, it is striking with its graceful portal and two carved minarets.

• Once one of the most prestigious theological schools in the region.

🏰 Buruciye Medresesi.

• Founded in 1271 in honor of science.

• Astronomy, physics and philosophy were taught here.

• The inner courtyard is decorated with a fountain and the arches are decorated with calligraphy and ornaments.

⛪ S t. Bartholomew's Church (Surp Kevork Armenian Church)

• Built in the XIX century by the Armenian community of Sivas.

• Today it is a monument of architecture and a testimony to the multinational history of the city.

🏛 S ivas Atatürk and Congress Museum (Atatürk ve Kongre Müzesi)

• Located in the building where the Sivas Congress was held.

• The exhibition is dedicated to the war of independence, documents and personal belongings of Atatürk.

🏞 Nature and surroundings

🏔 Yıldıdağ Mountain (Yıldız Dağı)

• Ski resort 50 km away from the city.

• Great place for winter vacation and skiing.

💧 Kaplıkalyar thermal springs

• Mineral waters with a temperature of about 45°C, known for their therapeutic properties.

• The most famous are the Kangal thermal springs, where Garra rufa fish are used for therapy of skin diseases.

🌿 Kızılırmak Valley and Hafik Canyon (Hafik Gölü ve Kanyonu)

• Picturesque places for walks, picnics and photos.

• Lakes, cliffs and endless plateaus create a unique atmosphere of Central Anatolia.

🍽 Sivas cuisine

The cuisine of Sivas is characterized by nourishment and simplicity. Natural products and meat dishes are appreciated here.

Try:

• 🥩 Sivas kebabı - juicy kebab baked in clay oven.

• 🍛 Madımak - Madımak herb stew with yogurt and rice (traditional dish of peasants).

• 🍞 Katmer - crispy puff pastry.

• 🍯 Helle çorbası - thick soup made of wheat and yogurt.

• 🧀 Divriği çöreği - flatbreads with cheese, popular in the villages.

Sivas cuisine reflects the harsh nature of the region: dishes are nutritious, flavorful and warming.

🧿 Culture and traditions

Sivas is known for its hospitality, folk music and handicrafts.

• The city is famous for its knife masters - knives from Sivas are considered among the best in Turkey.

• Folklore traditions are strong here, especially Halay and Bar dances.

• Every year Sivas Kültür ve Sanat Festivali, a festival of culture, music and crafts, takes place.

• Sivas is also known as the city of poet Aşık Veysel, a symbol of 20th century Turkish folk poetry and music.

🚗 How to get there

• ✈️ Sivas Nuri Demirag Airport (VAS) - flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir.

• 🚄 YHT high-speed train - connects Sivas with Ankara (travel time ~2.5 hours).

• 🚗 Good roads connect Sivas with Kayseri (3 hrs), Tokat and Erzincan.

✅ Why to visit Sivas

✔ One of the oldest cities in Anatolia
✔ Magnificent monuments of Seljuk architecture
✔ Historical importance for the Republic of Turkey
✔ Thermal springs and natural beauties
✔ Authentic Anatolian cuisine and hospitality
✔ Comfort, spirituality and historical depth

📌 Conclusion

Sivas is a city where stone speaks and history breathes.
Here you can walk in the footsteps of sultans and scholars, feel the breath of antiquity and the power of the Anatolian spirit.
This is not just a dot on the map - it is the heart of Turkey, where the past inspires the future.

"Sivas is not only history, it is the memory of the people, their wisdom and strength."