Slap; A lush place that has embraced various civilizations and states of Anatolia in every period of history, meeting with the deep blue sky over the fertile lands of Yeşilırmak.. The city, which has been an important center of trade and culture within our borders for more than 6 thousand years; A friendly address in the Black Sea with its unique natural beauties in its provinces and districts, as well as architectural works symbolizing our history and authentic handicrafts.
Gök Madrasa, known as Tokat Castle and the Old Museum Building
BC. Tokat, which is the settlement of 14 states and five principalities with its deep-rooted history dating back to the 5500s; It forms a gateway to Central Anatolia in the Black Sea with its borders with Samsun in the north, Ordu in the northeast, Sivas in the south and Amasya in the west.. Being an important settlement center from Hittite to Byzantium, from Seljuk to Ottoman, the city is one of the rare places that has managed to carry the traces of the past to the present.
#1 Tokat Castle
The first thing you notice when you come to Tokat The building is the Tokat Castle located in the southwest of the city.. The history of Tokat Castle, which greets you from the side of Gaziosmanpaşa Boulevard, where you will pass a lot while visiting historical places, dates back to the fifth century, according to estimates.. Due to the works carried out inside the castle, the exit road is closed these days; however, you will have the chance to watch the castle closely while passing through the historical Sulu Sokak, which also houses the museum and exhibits the architectural summary of the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia.. The inner parts of Tokat Castle, whose outer fortifications were completely removed, have been preserved to this day.
Tashan
#2 Tokat Museum
Tokat Museum where you can see traces of Anatolian and Ottoman history living on the borders of Tokat Located in Sulu Sokak. Arastalı Bedesten, located beyond the Takyeciler Mosque, has been used as the Tokat Museum, where archaeological and ethnographic works of Tokat are exhibited since 2012.. In addition to the mastery of the columns and vaults of the “Arastalı Bedesten”, which means “bazaar” in the old language, its nine domes have made the covered bazaar a work worth seeing.. In Tokat Museum; In addition to the pieces from the Chalcolithic Age to the Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, Danishment, İlhanlı, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, you can also see the richest coin collection and the oldest example of the Koran dated 1191.
Tashan
#3 Taşhan
Tashan, one of the biggest inns of Anatolia; Today, it appears as an Ottoman work from the 1600s.. It is impossible to leave Taşhan, which was used as a caravanserai in the past and then restored and opened to service, without taking a look at the ceramic works, copper and wood carving products, and wood-printed textiles, which are among the traditional handicrafts of Tokat.
‘wood print’ from Tokat’s traditional handicrafts
#4 Ali Pasha Bath and others
One of the city’s most touristic spots is the Ali Pasha Bath, inside the social complex built by Ali Pasha in 1572.. In the double bath-style building, there are sections for men and women.. Considered as one of the unique examples of Ottoman bath architecture, Ali Pasha Bath is one of the first places recommended for visitors to Tokat.. Inside the complex, there is also the single-domed Ali Pasha Mosque and his tomb.
The 33-meter-high Clock Tower, which can be seen from anywhere in the city, is one of the wooden mosques with its rectangular plan and flat roof. Tokat Ulu Mosque and the Mevlevihane, which is mentioned in Evliya Çelebi’s Travel Name, are also among the must-see places.. When you get a little further from the center, you will see the Hıdırlık Bridge, an example of Seljuk architecture.. Hidirlik Bridge; It is located in the north of the city and on Yeşilırmak.. The bridge with five arches and a length of 151 meters; With the inscription on it, it is of great importance in Seljuk history.
Hıdırlık Bridge
#5 Ballica Cave
The Ballıca Cave, located in Ballica Village of Pazar, one of the districts of Tokat, one of the most magnificent caves in the world with its natural formations of international importance. Ballıca Cave, which was formed from crystallized limestones; about 4 million years old. You can experience a surrealistic experience with naturally patterned stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, whose eight halls are now open to visitors.
Ballıca Cave
#6 Tokat cuisine
Finally, authentic and traditional When you come to Tokat, which is a city, do not return without eating the famous Tokat Kebab, which combines fresh lamb meat with roasted eggplant, potatoes, peppers and garlic.. Stuffed Broad Beans, Pehlli Rice, Bat with Walnut and Mahlep Wine are among the regional delicacies of Tokat.
Tokat Kebab
*This article was first published in The Gate magazine in June, 2014.
Photos: Azimet Çiçek & Neşem Çelikkaya
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