Erzurum

Erzurum is a major city located in eastern Turkey.

It serves as the capital of the Erzurum Province. The city sits at a high altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level.

This elevation makes the region ideal for winter sports. The city features various winter sports facilities. It hosted the 2011 Winter Universiade.

It also hosted the 2023 Winter Deaflympics.

In 2010, the city had a population of 367,250 people.

The name of the city has changed many times. Originally, it was known in Armenian as Karno K'aghak'. This name meant "city of Karin." Some believe the name comes from a local tribe called the Karenitis. Another theory suggests it came from the Kamsarakans, a local princely family. During Roman times, the city was named Theodosiopolis.

This name honored Emperor Theodosius I. After the Arab conquest in the seventh century, Arabs called it Kālīkalā. The city received its current name after the Seljuk Turks arrived in 1071. Some older sources suggest the name comes from the Arabic phrase Arḍu ar-Rūm, meaning "land of the Rûm."

Erzurum has a long history of being a military stronghold. In the Roman era, Theodosiopolis was a vital strategic location. It sat on the eastern border of the empire. This made it a target in wars between the Byzantines and Persians. Emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I both built new defenses there. Later, the city became an important center for different groups. The Umayyad general Abdallah ibn Abd al-Malik conquered it around 700 AD. It then became the capital of the emirate of Kālīkalā. During this time, it served as a base for raids into Byzantine lands.

Many different empires fought to control Erzurum over the centuries. Byzantine forces captured the city in 931 and 949. After these battles, the Arab population was expelled. Greeks and Armenians resettled the city instead. Emperor Basil II rebuilt the defenses in 1018 with local help. In 1071, the Seljuk Turks took the city after the Battle of Manzikert. The Saltukids ruled the area from 1071 to 1202. Later, the Mongols besieged and looted the city in 1242. The city eventually passed through many hands, including the Timurid Empire and Safavid Persia. The Ottomans finally conquered it in 1514 during the Battle of Chaldiran.

The city is famous for its unique architecture and symbols. The Çifte Minareli Medrese is a major symbol of Erzurum.

This building is a twin minaret madrasa, which is a type of Islamic school. It appears on the city's coat-of-arms. The coat-of-arms also uses a double-headed eagle motif. This symbol has been common in Anatolia since the Bronze Age. Visitors can also see the Yakutiye Medresesi in the city center.

This building is an important historical site.

Other local landmarks include the Taşhan, which has jewelry shops.

Travelers can also try the local Cağ kebab.

The early 20th century was a period of great conflict for Erzurum. During World War I, the city was a site of major battles. The Ottoman and Russian Empires fought for control of the region. In 1915, the Armenian population faced a genocide. Many people were killed, and their cultural institutions were destroyed.

Schools, churches, and clubs were looted or left derelict. When Russian forces occupied the city in 1916, very few Armenians remained. The city changed hands several times during this era of war.

Erzurum played a key role in the birth of modern Turkey. In 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was in the city. He resigned from the Ottoman army while he was there. He was later named an "Honorary Native" of Erzurum. The Erzurum Congress of 1919 was a vital starting point for the Turkish War of Independence. This event helped shape the new Turkish Republic. Today, Erzurum is a significant administrative and cultural center in the region.

It remains a place where history and modern life meet.