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9 places to visit in the Eldivan district of Çankırı: İldivan Mountain, Dümeli Mound and Eldivan Castle Ruins. Plan your trip to Eldivan with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The Eldivan district takes its name from İldivan Mountain, which lies to its north. After 1071, this mountain became a gathering place for the Turks spreading into Anatolia and was called ‘Er divanı’, and later it took the name ‘Eldivan’.

Geography

In terms of its geographical location, Eldivan is bordered by Çankırı to the east, the Şabanözü district to the west, the Korgun district to the north, and the Kalecik district of Ankara to the south. İldivan Mountain, which lies in the south of the district and is 1,857 metres high, is the region’s most important plateau.

History

The history of the district dates back to the Macedonian and Paphlagonian kingdoms, and later to the Galatians and Romans. After the Battle of Malazgirt, the Turks came and settled here after the conquest of Çankırı in 1083. Eldivan was incorporated into Ottoman territory by Yıldırım Bayezid in 1383. In the Republican period, Eldivan became a nahiye (subdistrict) in 1944, and was made a district in 1960.

Economy

The most important livelihood of the people is agriculture and livestock farming. Advanced cherry production takes place in the district, and Eldivan Cherry was registered as a protected geographical indication by the Turkish Patent Institute in 2024. In the cherry harvest season every summer, a ‘cherry festival’ is held in the region; the events, which begin on Friday and last three days, commemorate Hacı Murad-ı Veli on the first day, and on the second day there are cherry competitions and various activities.

History and Culture

In Eldivan, a cherry festival is held every summer during the cherry harvest. Eldivan Cherry was registered as a protected geographical indication in 2024. The Tomb of Hacı Murad-ı Veli is believed to have been built after his death. Eldivan was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1383 by Yıldırım Bayezid.

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Places to Visit in Eldivan

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 3 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Attraction

Historic Sites 1

Historic

Eldivan Castle Ruins

The castle ruins on the hill above the district centre are believed to date from the Seljuk period. From the castle there are views over the Eldivan plain and the surrounding mountains.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Dümeli Mound

A mound representing the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

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Religious Buildings 3

Religious

Eldivan Çarşı Mosque

A mosque built in the Ottoman period, it is one of the oldest buildings in the district centre. Its stone masonry and timber interior reflect the traditional Ottoman provincial mosque style. The fountain in its courtyard is a historic water structure where travellers and tradespeople performed their ablutions.

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Religious

Hacı Murad-ı Veli Mosque

Located in Seydiköy, a plain mosque with a timber roof, built of rubble stone.

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Religious

Sultan Bedrettin Tomb

In Gölez village, the tomb of Sultan Bedrettin, who died in 1738.

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Natural Wonders 3

Nature

İldivan Mountain

A mountain at 1,857 metres in the south of the district. It is the region's most important plateau.

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Nature

Eldivan Plateaus

The plateaus in the southern part of the district are favoured in the summer months for their cool climate and green meadows. They offer suitable areas for walking and camping.

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Nature

Karadere and Saray Ponds

Ponds in Eldivan, suitable for picnics and camping with the surrounding forests and water sources.

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Attractions 1

Attraction

Bülbül Pınarı Picnic Area

A picnic area in wooded surroundings, 5 km from Eldivan centre, reached by an asphalt road.

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Places to Visit Around Çankırı Province

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While you are in Eldivan, you can also see the highlights of Çankırı province. These places are in other districts; Eldivan is about 20 km from the provincial centre.

  • Çankırı Salt Cave — Galleries 6–8 metres high and 8 km long in total, cut into a rock-salt deposit thought to have been worked since the Hittites, in the village of Balıbağı about 20 km from the city centre; it is one of the largest salt reserves in Türkiye.
  • Taş Mescit (Cemaleddin Ferruh Hospital) — A hospital (darüşşifa) built in 1235 by the atabey Cemaleddin Ferruh in the reign of Alâeddin Keykubad I. The relief of two intertwined dragons on its façade is used today as the symbol of medicine, and the figure of a snake coiled round a cup as the symbol of pharmacy.
  • Sultan Süleyman (Grand) Mosque — A mosque of the age of Mimar Sinan, built by Sadık Kalfa on the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, begun in 1522 and completed in 1558. Covered by one large dome and four half-domes, and with a stone minbar, it is the largest mosque in the city.
  • Çankırı Castle and Karatekin Tomb — The remains of a castle used from the Roman to the Ottoman period, on the hill north of the city; inside are a Roman-period rock tomb and the tomb of Emir Karatekin Bey, the conqueror of Çankırı.
  • Çankırı Museum — A museum that has been housed since 2017 in the Old Government Building of 1905; finds from across the province are displayed in its archaeology, ethnography and palaeontology halls.
  • Ilgaz Mountain National Park — A national park established in 1976 on the border of Çankırı and Kastamonu; its highest point is Büyük Hacet Hill at 2,587 metres.

Practical Information for Visiting Eldivan

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer
Places to visit
9 places

What to Eat in Eldivan

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  • Banduma (bread soaked in broth)

    Stale bread soaked in meat broth and butter. It is one of the traditional flavours of the Çankırı region. Its preparation with fresh and natural ingredients makes the dish a healthy choice.

  • Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)

    Prepared by cooking cracked wheat and meat for a long time and then pounding them together. It is the traditional dish of weddings and festive meals. It is traditionally served with melted butter poured over it.

  • Gözleme

    Yufka dough filled with cheese, spinach or potato and cooked on a sac (griddle). It is an essential flavour of village breakfasts.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Eldivan

  • Roasted Chickpea Culture

    The production of roasted chickpeas (leblebi) continues in Eldivan as a traditional craft. Methods of roasting chickpeas are passed down from generation to generation.

  • Traditional Village Life

    In the villages of Eldivan, communal work by imece (mutual aid) and traditional wedding customs are still kept alive.

Local Products

  • Eldivan Cherry (Eldivan Kirazı) — Eldivan Cherry was registered as a protected geographical indication on 4 March 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1550). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and mushrooms. Registered by: Eldivan Municipality.
  • Eldivan Oily Çörek (Eldivan Yağlı Çöreği) — Eldivan Oily Çörek was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 October 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 914). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Eldivan Municipality.

Economy

The economy of Eldivan is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley and pulses are the main agricultural products. Roasted chickpea production is the district's best-known economic activity. Small livestock farming is widespread.

How to Get to Eldivan

Eldivan lies 20 km from Çankırı city centre. There are regular minibus services from Çankırı.

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Eldivan: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Eldivan?

The top 9 places in Eldivan are: İldivan Mountain, Dümeli Mound, Eldivan Castle Ruins, Eldivan Çarşı Mosque, Eldivan Plateaus, Bülbül Pınarı Picnic Area, Karadere and Saray Ponds, Hacı Murad-ı Veli Mosque and Sultan Bedrettin Tomb.

What is there to eat in Eldivan?

Banduma (bread soaked in broth), Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Gözleme are the standout dishes on Eldivan's tables.

What is Eldivan famous for?

Eldivan is known for Eldivan Cherry and its Roasted Chickpea Culture. It is a protected geographical indication product registered with TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Eldivan?

Eldivan lies 20 km from Çankırı city centre. There are regular minibus services from Çankırı.

How long should I spend on a trip to Eldivan?

Suggested length of visit: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer.

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