Things to Do in Şenkaya: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Şenkaya

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 3 Nature

While you are in Şenkaya, you can also see the highlights of Erzurum province. These places are in other districts; Şenkaya is about 140 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 Şenkaya

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Summer months (June–September)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🍖

  Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

  Lamb roasted on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In Şenkaya it has a special flavour thanks to the sheep raised on its plateaus.

• 🥣

  Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

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

• 🥣

  Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut pasta soup)

  A soup of thinly cut pieces of dough cooked in meat broth, one of the winter classics of Şenkaya cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Şenkaya

• 🏛️

  Border Region History

  Close to the Kars and Ardahan borders, Şenkaya has been strategically important throughout history during the Ottoman–Russian wars. The district was the scene of major battles during the 93 Harbi (Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78) and the First World War, and has a layered history.

• 🐑

  Plateau Migration Tradition

  For centuries, the people of Şenkaya have migrated to the high plateaus in the summer months to practise livestock farming. This seasonal migration tradition has shaped the region's social life and cuisine.

Local Products

• Şenkaya 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 Peyniri (stringy cheese) — Civil cheese made from fresh milk and separated into threads, produced in Şenkaya by traditional methods.

Economy

Şenkaya's economy rests on livestock farming and agriculture. Small livestock farming and beekeeping are the main sources of livelihood. Wheat, barley and fodder crops are grown in farming.

How to Get to Şenkaya

Şenkaya is about 140 km from Erzurum city centre. Road access is via Horasan. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport. The district can be reached by minibus.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Erzurum

Şenkaya: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

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

Other Districts of Erzurum

• Aşkale 4 places Karasu Valley, Aşkale Castle and Aşkale Hot Springs
• 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
• 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