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10 places to visit in the Bayat district of Çorum: Karatepe Forest, Bayat Castle and Bayat Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Bayat with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Bayat is a district of Çorum province, with an area of 717 km² and an altitude of 697 metres. Bayat is a settlement with a history going back to the 1st century BC.

Tarihçe

Roman-period coins, sculptures and tombs have been found within the district boundaries. The Alagöz sub-district (nahiye), attached to İskilip district, was renamed Bayat in 1947. On 1 April 1958 the Bayat sub-district, attached to İskilip district, became a district.

Coğrafya

Bayat lies at the meeting point of the Central Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions, on the eastern extension of the Köroğlu Mountains. It is 83 km from Çorum, and its annual average rainfall is 445.2 mm. The Bayat stream forms a valley 45 km long before flowing into the Kızılırmak.

İklim ve Ormanlık

In the north of the district is Öbek Hill, at 2,013 metres. The north is mountainous and the south is plain. In the mountainous part a Black Sea-type climate prevails, while in the south a continental climate prevails.

Tarihçe ve Kültür

Until 1958 the district was a sub-district attached to İskilip district, when it became a district. 9 tombs (türbe) have been identified in the district and its villages.

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Places to Visit in Bayat

  • 2 Historic
  • 2 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 4 Nature

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Bayat Castle

The castle on the hill overlooking the district centre was used in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. From the castle walls you can see the Bayat plain and the surrounding mountains.

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Historic

Eskiyapar Mound

The mound was occupied from the Chalcolithic Age through to the Hittite period, and gold and silver artefacts have been found there. Finds from the excavations are displayed in the museums of Çorum and Ankara.

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Ancient Cities 2

Ancient City

Akkaya Mound

Located in Yerliköy village, Akkaya locality, 7 km south of the district centre. Registered as an archaeological site from the Hittite and Roman periods.

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Ancient City

Kunduzlu Rock Tombs

On the 5th kilometre of the highway to Kunduzlu town, on the right-hand side of the road, two rock tombs dating from the Roman period are carved into limestone cliffs.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Bayat Grand Mosque

Built in the Ottoman period, the mosque stands out for its stonework and wooden minbar. It is one of the district's oldest places of worship and reflects classic Ottoman mosque architecture.

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Religious

Emirbey (Old) Mosque

A mosque whose inscription states that it was built in 1846.

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Natural Wonders 4

Nature

Karatepe Forest

The wooded area in the north of the district, covered mainly with pine and oak forest.

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Nature

Kızılırmak Valley

The Kızılırmak River, which forms the eastern border of Bayat district, creates deep valleys and fertile plains. Walking and nature observation can be done along the valley.

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Nature

Bayat Kunduzlu and Kuşcaçimeni Plateaus

Plateaus in the mountainous Karatepe locality, north of Bayat district.

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Nature

Fairy Chimneys

A natural formation 3 km from the district, notable for its unusual shape.

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Places to Visit Around Çorum Province

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While you are in Bayat, you can also see the highlights of Çorum province. These places are in other districts; Bayat is about 45 km from the provincial centre.

  • Hattuşa (Boğazköy) — The Hittite capital, 82 km south-west of Çorum and 4 km east of Boğazkale.
  • Hattuşa Great Temple and Green Stone — The Great Temple in the Lower City, measuring 65 × 42 metres and thought to have been dedicated to the Storm God and the Sun Goddess.
  • Yazılıkaya — The Hittite open-air sanctuary 2 km north-east of Hattuşa.
  • Alacahöyük — A mound 15 km north-west of Alaca, where 15 building levels from four cultural phases have been identified.
  • Şapinuva — A military and religious centre at Ortaköy, known as the second largest city of the Hittite Kingdom.
  • Boğazköy Museum — A museum at the entrance to Hattuşa displaying the tablets, seals and ceramics unearthed at the site.

Practical Information for Visiting Bayat

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

What to Eat in Bayat

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  • Hingel (boiled dough squares)

    Thin dough is cut into squares and boiled. Served topped with yoghurt and sizzled butter, hingel is one of Bayat's traditional flavours.

  • Oğmaç Çorbası (crumbled dough soup)

    Dough made from flour, egg and salt is crumbled into the soup. A soup specific to the Çorum region, it is an essential hot dish in the winter months.

  • Banduma (soaked bread dish)

    A traditional dish in which stale bread is soaked in meat broth and butter. It is one of the distinctive flavours of Çorum cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Bayat

  • Bayat Tribe Tradition

    The district takes its name from the Bayat tribe, one of the 24 tribes of the Oghuz Turks. The Bayat tribe is the bearer of the tradition of Dede Korkut, who is considered the author of the Dede Korkut epics.

  • Traditional Handicrafts

    Kilim and carpet weaving continue as traditions in Bayat. Kilims woven with local motifs are important examples of Anatolian handicrafts.

Local Products

  • Wheat — The Bayat plain is known for its fertile farmland. Wheat production is the district's most important agricultural activity.
  • Sugar Beet — Sugar beet is grown on Bayat's fertile soils and makes an important contribution to the regional economy.

Economy

Bayat's economy rests mainly on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley, sugar beet and sunflower are the main crops. Cattle and small livestock farming are also important means of livelihood. Small-scale trade and craftsmanship continue in the district.

How to Get to Bayat

Bayat is 45 km from Çorum city centre. Minibus and bus services run to the district via Çorum.

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Bayat: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Bayat?

The 10 main sights in Bayat are: Karatepe Forest, Bayat Castle, Bayat Grand Mosque, Kızılırmak Valley, Eskiyapar Mound, Bayat Kunduzlu and Kuşcaçimeni Plateaus, Akkaya Mound, Emirbey (Old) Mosque, Fairy Chimneys and Kunduzlu Rock Tombs.

What is there to eat in Bayat?

Hingel, Oğmaç Çorbası and Banduma are the standout flavours at Bayat's tables.

What is Bayat famous for?

Bayat is known for wheat and the Bayat tribe tradition. The Bayat plain is known for its fertile farmland, and wheat production is the district's most important agricultural activity.

How do I get to Bayat?

Bayat is 45 km from Çorum city centre. Minibus and bus services run to the district via Çorum.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Bayat?

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

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