5 places to visit in the Üzümlü district of Erzincan: Altıntepe Mound, Üzümlü Castle and Üzümlü Hot Springs. Plan your trip to Üzümlü with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Üzümlü is a district of Erzincan province, formerly known as Cimin. The district covers 591 km², and the elevation of its centre is 1,437 metres.
The district is bordered by Erzincan Merkez district to the west, Tercan to the east, Çayırlı to the north, and Pülümür district of Tunceli province to the south.
The district has Altıntepe Castle, dating from the Urartian period. The castle was used in the Urartian, Persian, Byzantine and Anatolian Seljuk periods.
The region is known for its black grape with a distinctive pleasant aroma and flavour. This variety, known as Cimin Grape, is the world’s first and only patented grape.
Üzümlü, which had a town municipality founded in 1930, gained district status in 1987.
Excavations at Altıntepe in 1959 uncovered a temple, a palace complex and tombs. Finds from the 8th-century BC mound include ivory, helmets and shields. Altıntepe Castle was used in the Urartian, Persian, Byzantine and Anatolian Seljuk periods. Üzümlü gained district status in 1987.
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Within the boundaries of Üzümlü, Altıntepe was an important settlement of the Urartian Kingdom in the 8th–7th centuries BC. Excavations have uncovered a temple, palace and fortress remains, and digs are still ongoing. It is a multi-layered site that hosted Urartian, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations.
View on mapA castle on a hill near the district centre whose walls, built in different periods, reflect the strategic importance of the region. From the castle ruins, panoramic views over the Erzincan plain and the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed.
View on mapThermal springs in the district, known for healing waters believed to be good for rheumatism and skin conditions. The spa facilities welcome visitors all year round for health tourism.
View on mapThe vineyards that give the district its name spread over wide areas of the fertile soils of the Erzincan plain. In the autumn grape-harvest season, the region comes alive with grape picking and pekmez (grape molasses) making.
View on mapCastle and temple area in Üzümlü district, known for its remains from the Urartian period.
View on mapWhile you are in Üzümlü, you can also see the highlights of Erzincan province. These places are in other districts; Üzümlü is about 15 km from the provincial centre.
Lamb slow-cooked for a long time in a clay tandır oven, served in the traditional restaurants of Üzümlü.
Grape molasses prepared by boiling grapes from the district's vineyards in traditional ways. It is one of the essential sweet flavours on breakfast tables.
Traditional soup made by cooking thin-cut pieces of dough in meat broth, a classic flavour of Üzümlü's winter tables.
A black grape specific to Üzümlü, named after the district's former name, Cimin.
Üzümlü is home to Altıntepe, one of the major centres of the Urartian Kingdom in the 8th century BC. Ivory artefacts, bronze objects and temple remains found in the excavations reveal the 3,000-year history of civilisations in the region.
Üzümlü takes its name from the long-established viticulture tradition of the region. Grape cultivation, pekmez and şıra production, practised for centuries, is an inseparable part of the district's cultural identity.
The economy of Üzümlü is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Grape cultivation, wheat, sugar beet and vegetable growing are the main farming activities. Pekmez production is an important source of income. Thermal tourism is a developing sector.
Üzümlü is about 15 km from Erzincan city centre and is the nearest district to the province's centre. It is easily reached by the Erzincan–Erzurum road. The nearest airport is Erzincan Yıldırım Akbulut Airport. Minibus and dolmuş services keep it in constant contact with Erzincan city centre.
The five highlights of Üzümlü are Altıntepe Mound, Üzümlü Castle, Üzümlü Hot Springs, the Vineyards and Plain of Üzümlü, and Altıntepe Archaeological Site.
Tandır Kebabı, Üzüm Pekmezi, Kesme Çorbası and Cimin Üzümü are the standout flavours on Üzümlü's tables.
Üzümlü is known for the Erzincan Üzümlü Sarucu and the Urartian Altıntepe Heritage. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.
Üzümlü is about 15 km from Erzincan city centre and is the nearest district to the province's centre. It is easily reached by the Erzincan–Erzurum road. The nearest airport is Erzincan Yıldırım Akbulut Airport. Minibus and dolmuş services keep it in constant contact with Erzincan city centre.
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn (grape-harvest season).