Things to Do in Aşkale: 4 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Aşkale

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature
• 1 Other

While you are in Aşkale, you can also see the highlights of Erzurum province. These places are in other districts; Aşkale is about 55 km from the provincial centre.

• Çifte Minareli Madrasa — The symbol of the city, a two-storey Seljuk madrasa with an open courtyard, built in the mid-13th century.
• Yakutiye Madrasa — Built in 1310 by Hoca Cemalettin Yakut during the reign of the Ilkhanid ruler Öljeitü, this is the largest madrasa with a covered courtyard in Anatolia.
• Erzurum Grand Mosque — Built in 1179 under the Saltukid ruler Melik Nasirüddin Muhammed, this is the oldest and largest mosque in the city, also known as the Atabey Mosque.
• Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler) — Three monumental tombs south of the Çifte Minareli Madrasa, dating from the 12th to 14th centuries.
• Erzurum Castle and Clock Tower — The inner citadel on the highest point of the city, founded in the Byzantine period and repaired under the Saltukids and the Ottomans.
• Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque — A classical Ottoman mosque attributed to Mimar Sinan, built in 1562–1563 for Lala Mustafa Paşa, the beylerbey of Erzurum.

Practical Information for Visiting Aşkale

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer (May–September)

Places to visit

4 places

• 🍖

  Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

  Lamb is turned on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. It is served in the traditional way in Aşkale's restaurants.

• 🥣

  Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

  A traditional soup made with yoghurt, bulgur and mint. It is a nourishing dish that never goes missing from tables on cold winter days in Aşkale.

• 🍮

  Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)

  A traditional dessert of fine kadayıf dough wrapped around walnuts, baked and soaked in syrup. In Aşkale it is an essential part of festival meals.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Aşkale

• 🛤️

  Historic Trade Route Junction

  Aşkale lies at a strategic point on the Erzurum–Erzincan highway. For centuries it was an important stopping place on the Silk Road, and the district has been a centre of trade and cultural exchange.

• 🐑

  Highland Migration Tradition

  For centuries, people of Aşkale have moved to the high plateaus in the summer months to farm livestock. This seasonal migration has shaped the social life and food culture of the area.

Local Products

• Aşkale Honey — Flower honey gathered on the district's high plateaus. Thanks to the rich flora, it is an aromatic and natural variety of honey.
• Civil Cheese (Civil Peyniri) — Made from fresh milk and separated into fine strands, civil cheese is produced in Aşkale using traditional methods.

Economy

Aşkale's economy is based on livestock farming and agriculture. Raising small livestock and producing dairy products are the main sources of livelihood. Wheat, barley and fodder crops are grown. A cement factory contributes to the industrial sector.

How to Get to Aşkale

Aşkale is about 55 km from Erzurum city centre. It lies on the Erzurum–Erzincan highway. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport. The district can be reached by intercity bus and minibus services. There is also a rail connection.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Erzurum

Aşkale: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Aşkale Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Erzurum The province's 20 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Erzurum

• Aziziye 5 places Aziziye Redoubts, Ilıca Hot Springs and Nene Hatun Monument
• Çat 4 places Çat Dam and Lake, Çat Castle and Çat Plateaus
• Hınıs 4 places Hınıs Castle, Hınıs Plain and Hınıs Grand Mosque
• Horasan 5 places Horasan Castle, Aras River Valley and Horasan Grand Mosque
• İspir 5 places Çoruh Valley, İspir Castle and İspir Yedigöller (Seven Lakes)
• Karaçoban 7 places Karaçoban Castle, Foothills of the Bingöl Mountains and Karaçoban Plateaus
• Karayazı 4 places Aras River Banks, Köyceğiz Reservoir and Çakmak Mountain
• Köprüköy 5 places Çobandede Bridge, Aras River Valley and Köprüköy Castle
• Narman 5 places Narman Fairy Chimneys, Narman Five Lakes and Red Hills (Rainbow Hills)
• Oltu 8 places Oltu Castle, Oltu Taşı Mines and Gökkaya (Rainbow) Hills
• Olur 5 places Olur Castle, Çakoş Plateau and Olur Waterfall
• Palandöken 4 places Palandöken Ski Centre, Ejder 3200 Ski Centre and Atatürk House Museum
• Pasinler 5 places Pasinler (Hasankale) Castle, Pasinler Hot Springs and Pasinler Plain
• Pazaryolu 4 places Medieval castle ruins, Pazaryolu plateaus and Norgah Castle
• Şenkaya 5 places Şenkaya Castle, Bardız Stream Valley and Şenkaya Plateaus
• Tekman 9 places Tekman Castle, Tekman Plain and Tekman Plateaus
• Tortum 5 places Hahuli Monastery, Tortum Waterfall and Tortum Lake
• Uzundere 7 places Tortum Waterfall, Tortum Lake and Öşkvank (Öşk Vank) Kilisesi
• Yakutiye 6 places Yakutiye Madrasa, Çifte Minareli Madrasa and Erzurum Castle and Clock Tower