Erzincan

Population: 85,000

Midway between Sivas and Erzurum, Erzincan has had a sad history of being battered by earthquakes; the worst in 1939 claimed some 40,000 lives while the old town was wiped out. Afterwards a new Erzincan was built slightly to the north.

The most recent quake took place in 1992. Officially 1,000 people died although locals believe the figure to be higher. There’s a memorial to the victims in the Terzibaba Mezarlığı (Cemetery) west of town as you turn south towards Çağlayan. The junction is marked by the ruins of an old hamam, a last trace of the old town.

There are no lovely historic monuments here to detain a tourist, although the town attracts a lot of business travellers which means that the many hotels along its main street can sometimes be full.

The most prominent building in town is the modern Terzibaba Camii named after a famous local holy man who is buried some distance away in the Terzibaba Mezarlığı.

The town is known for an elaborate and colourful type of metalworking. Items like inlaid trays make lovely souvenirs if you choose to pause here.

Eating

Fine dining may not be Erzincan’s strongest suit. They boast about their yaprak döner but to an outsider it tastes like any other döner.

Should you be planning a picnic you might want to stock up on big black cimin grapes and on tulum peynir, cheese that has been matured in a goatskin. They’re two of the town’s most popular products.

Sleeping

Eriza Hotel. Calls itself boutique but is really just smart business hotel in a central location. Tel: 0446-223 4545

Konak Mazlum

Transport info

There are not a lot of services from Erzincan’s out-of-town otogar so check times before heading out there. The No 2 bus runs to the otogar via a circuitous route.

All bus services between Sivas and Erzurum pass through Erzincan.

Dolmuşes to Kemah leave from beside the Boyaçılar Cami. There is also one early morning dolmuş every day to Kemaliye.

Emblem of Erzincan harks back to its medieval pastDay trip destinations