Photo: Salihsertbas (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 11 places to visit in the Refahiye district of Erzincan: Dumanlı Plateaus, Köroğlu Cave and Kadıköy Church. Plan your trip to Refahiye with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Refahiye is a district of Erzincan province with an area of 1,808 km². The average altitude of the district centre above sea level is 1,588 metres. Although the district’s economy has long rested on agriculture, over the last 20 years livestock farming, dairy production and honey production have become its main sources of income.
Known in the past as Gercanis, Refahiye was a sub-district (nahiye) attached to the Kemah Sanjak between 1566 and 1871. It was moved to its present site in 1872. In 1884 the name was changed to “Refahiye”, meaning a prosperous place, because of the beauty of its water and air and its forests. The municipal administration was established in 1923, and the town was damaged in the 1939 and 1992 earthquakes.
Refahiye is mostly mountainous and has a geography well suited to livestock farming. The Dumanlı plateaus, at 2,000 metres, are important for summer and winter tourism thanks to their picnic areas and skiing facilities.
The district’s name was given by Şefik Paşa, Mutasarrıf of Erzincan. Its former name was Gercanis, and there is no detailed information about its early history. A honey festival is held every August. The origins of the Holy Rock–Roman Warehouse go back to the Hittites.
Last updated:
This church in Kadıköy village of Refahiye is built of dressed stone and stands out for its stone decorations at the entrance. It is one of the rare historic monuments to have survived to the present day without serious damage.
View on mapThe Roman warehouse, situated north of the Holy Rock, is a striking complex of three round buildings. These structures, thought to date back to the Hittite period, show that the area has been settled since ancient times.
View on mapAt Kutlu Tepe, near Cengerli village, are the remains of a castle, a mill and a bath from the Byzantine and Roman periods. This archaeologically rich site reveals the district's many-layered history.
View on mapOn the north side of the Holy Rock is a Roman warehouse made up of three round buildings.
View on mapLocated in the district centre, it displays decorative features of the Western-influenced period.
View on mapA plateau at 2,000 metres, 10 km from the district centre. With its picnic areas and skiing facilities, it is important for summer and winter tourism.
View on mapKöroğlu Cave, in the Altköy locality of Refahiye, is a natural formation entered by stairs cut into the rock. Inside are seating areas made of cut stone and marks that local people believe were made by Köroğlu's grey horse.
View on mapThese ponds, used for irrigation, also serve as picnic spots.
View on mapWhile you are in Refahiye, you can also see the highlights of Erzincan province. These places are in other districts; Refahiye is about 69 km from the provincial centre.
Refahiye honey was registered as a protected designation of origin on 18 September 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 457). Product group: honey. Registered by: Refahiye Chamber of Agriculture.
Cheese made from goat or sheep's milk and ripened in tulums made of animal skin. Produced from the milk of animals grazing on Refahiye's high plateaus, tulum cheese is known for its sharp aroma.
Prepared by cooking thinly cut pieces of dough in meat broth, this soup is one of the most popular hot dishes on Refahiye's cold winter days.
Bread baked in a traditional clay tandır oven, still made by old methods in Refahiye's villages. Its thick, tasty texture makes it an essential part of breakfast tables.
During the Ottoman period, Refahiye was known as Gercanis. In 1872, Şefik Paşa, Mutasarrıf of Erzincan, named it Refahiye, inspired by the lush forests of the area. This change of name reflects the district's natural richness.
During the War of Independence, Refahiye was one of the places visited by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This historic link is a source of pride for the district's people.
Refahiye's economy rests on forestry, livestock farming and agriculture. The district's extensive forests are used for timber production. Small livestock farming and beekeeping are carried out on the plateaus. Wheat, barley and walnuts are the main crops.
Refahiye is about 69 km from Erzincan city centre. It is reached by road via the Erzincan–Sivas route. The nearest airport is Erzincan Yıldırım Akbulut Airport. The district can be reached by minibus and bus services.
The 11 main sights in Refahiye are: Dumanlı Plateaus, Köroğlu Cave, Kadıköy Church, Holy Rock and Roman Warehouse, Cengerli Village Kutlu Tepe Ruins, Refahiye Forests, Yıldırım Akbulut Ski Facilities, Honey Rock, Holy Rock-Roman Warehouse, Merkez Mosque and Kalkancı and Akarsu village ponds.
Refahiye Balı, Erzincan Tulum Peyniri, Kesme Çorbası and Tandır Ekmeği are the standout flavours at Refahiye's tables.
Refahiye is known for Refahiye Balı and its Ottoman-era Gercanis heritage. The flower honey gathered in the district's forests and plateaus is aromatic and natural, thanks to its rich vegetation.
Refahiye is about 69 km from Erzincan city centre. It is reached by road via the Erzincan–Sivas route. The nearest airport is Erzincan Yıldırım Akbulut Airport. The district can be reached by minibus and bus services.
Recommended visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May–September).