Oltu Russian Church
Church built by the Russians between 1885 and 1890, east of the district centre of Oltu.
View on map8 places to visit in the Oltu district of Erzurum: Oltu Castle, Oltu Taşı Mines and Gökkaya (Rainbow) Hills. Plan your trip to Oltu with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Oltu lies in the north-east of Erzurum province, at the meeting point of the Eastern Anatolia and Eastern Black Sea regions. The district covers 1,441 km², and its elevation above sea level is 1,271 metres. Located 117 km from Erzurum provincial centre, Oltu ranks first in socio-economic development after the central districts of Erzurum.
History and Civilisation
The history of Oltu goes back to before the 10th century BC. The region came under the rule of the Hurrians, Urartians, Cimmerians, Scythians, Persians, Macedonians, Parthians and many other states. An inscription found at Oltu Castle is dated to the 7th century AD. The city castle once belonged to the Mamikonian naxarars and later passed to the Bagratunis.
Geography
The district centre of Oltu is built in the valley of the Oltu Stream, a tributary of the Çoruh River. Beyond the valley lie extensive mountain forests. The district’s forests include trees such as poplar, Scots pine, fir and hornbeam.
Oltu Stone
Oltu is famous for Oltu stone, a semi-precious stone. Also known as black amber, Oltu stone is brilliant black in colour and becomes harder and shinier the more it is worked. It is used to make jewellery, prayer beads, keyrings and boxes and other ornamental items.
History and Culture
After the Armistice of Mudros, Oltu remained under the Oltu Soviet Government for 13 months and joined Ankara in 1920. Restoration of the Russian Church of Oltu, begun in 2019, was completed in 2023. Oltu Castle has been repaired many times; most recently it was restored in 1998–1999.
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