Photo: Emreozgul68 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 10 places to visit in the Gümüşhacıköy district of Amasya: Gümüşhacıköy Historic Bazaar, Gümüşhacıköy Castle and Gümüşhacıköy Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Gümüşhacıköy with local food, practical tips and transport information.
The district covers 629 km² and its altitude is 820 metres. Its population is 22,319.
It was founded on Etonia, a favourite city of the Eastern Roman Empire. Since its first known inhabitants were the Cimmerians, it was later known as Kimmari. After Artu Bey took the Yöre in the 11th century, the settlement developed by Sadreddin Artık took the names Artıkova and Artıkabat.
Because the silver mine was given to Köprülü Mehmet Paşa as a has arpalık (imperial revenue grant), the town was for a time known as Has Arpalık. The Gümüşhacıköy bedesten and clock tower are the old commercial centre of the town and one of the important stops on the international Silk Road.
Until 1891, the district centre was known as Hacıköyü, a subdistrict (bucak) attached to Gümüş; it became a district centre in 1892. According to one source, Gümüşhacıköy was a town founded around AD 140 on the site of today’s district centre. Ownership rights to the silver mines passed to Süleyman Bey from 1797.
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A historic bazaar from the Ottoman period, whose stone-walled shops and narrow streets reflect traditional Anatolian trade culture. Traditional crafts such as coppersmithing and woodwork are still practised in the bazaar.
View on mapBuilt in the Seljuk period on a hill near the district centre. From the castle ruins, views of the district centre and the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed.
View on mapThe silver mines from which the district takes its name were operated in the Ottoman period. The mine remains shed light on the region's mining history.
View on mapAccording to the source, the bedesten was built by Köprülü Mehmet Paşa in 1660; the clock tower was added in 1900 by Ali Rıza Bey.
View on mapAccording to the source, a hammam built in the 1820s. It has a large central hamam göbeği (heated central slab).
View on mapA mint (darphane) building opened in 1248 in the Seljuk period, converted into a mosque in 1866 and opened for worship.
View on mapBuilt in the Ottoman period, this mosque is the most important religious building in Gümüşhacıköy. It has regional architectural features in its woodwork and stone decoration.
View on mapAccording to Wikipedia, it was built in 1660 by Köprülü Mehmet Paşa, destroyed in the 1943 earthquake and rebuilt in 1948.
View on mapA tomb in Sarayözü village belonging to Ali Pir Civan, one of the Alevi pirs.
View on mapThe plateaus in the south of the district, with their cool summer air and green meadows, are ideal for hiking.
View on mapWhile you are in Gümüşhacıköy, you can also see the highlights of Amasya province. These places are in other districts.
Keşkek, prepared by boiling and pounding cracked wheat and meat for a long time, is the traditional dish of wedding and festival tables in Gümüşhacıköy.
Made with yoghurt, flour and chickpeas, toyga soup is one of the traditional flavours of Gümüşhacıköy cuisine.
Made with walnuts and cinnamon, Amasya çöreği is also popular in Gümüşhacıköy.
Baked in a clay tandır oven, this traditional bread is indispensable at village tables in Gümüşhacıköy.
Leblebicilik (roasted chickpea making), a traditional craft, still keeps its importance in the district today.
Gümüşhacıköy takes its name from the silver mines worked in the Ottoman period. This mining past forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.
Traditional crafts such as coppersmithing and woodwork are still practised in Gümüşhacıköy.
A traditional rural way of life based on farming and livestock farming is still maintained in Gümüşhacıköy.
Gümüşhacıköy's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Apples, wheat and sugar beet are grown. Small and large livestock farming is an important livelihood in rural areas. Traditional crafts also contribute to the economy.
Gümüşhacıköy is 55 km from Amasya city centre and is reached by road. Regular minibus services run from Amasya. The nearest airport is Merzifon Airport (25 km).
The 10 highlights of Gümüşhacıköy are: Gümüşhacıköy Historic Bazaar, Gümüşhacıköy Castle, Gümüşhacıköy Grand Mosque, Silver Mine Ruins, Gümüşhacıköy Plateaus, Gümüşhacıköy Bedesten and Clock Tower, Maden Hammam, Darphane Mosque, Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque and Ali Pir Civan Tomb.
Keşkek, Toyga Çorbası, Amasya Çöreği and Tandır Ekmeği are the standout flavours on Gümüşhacıköy's tables.
Gümüşhacıköy is known for apples and its mining heritage. The famous apples of the Amasya region are grown in Gümüşhacıköy.
Gümüşhacıköy is 55 km from Amasya city centre and is reached by road. Regular minibus services run from Amasya. The nearest airport is Merzifon Airport (25 km).
Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.