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3 places to visit in the Kelkit district of Gümüşhane: Satala (Sadak) Ancient City, Kelkit Valley and Kelkit Plateaus. Plan your trip to Kelkit with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Kelkit is the largest district of Gümüşhane by area, and it makes up around 27% of the province’s population. The name Kelkit may derive from the words Kra-ka, meaning “Luvian Kar-ka” and “Peak Place”.

History

Research within the boundaries of Kelkit has found pottery fragments dating to the Late Bronze Age, extending the settlement history back to around 3000 BC. The Satala ancient city was an important frontier town and military base in the Roman period, where the XV Apollinaris Legion of the Roman army was stationed. Kelkit and its surroundings changed hands several times between the Byzantines and the Umayyads, and between the Byzantines and the Abbasids. The Anatolian Seljuks took the region in 1058, and Seljuk rule began after the Battle of Manzikert.

Ottoman Period and Administrative Structure

Under Ottoman rule, Kelkit appears as a kaza of the Sancak of Bayburt. In the 1516 tahrir register, Kelkit kaza recorded 128 villages and 36 mezra, but because of the wars in the region, only 56 of them show settlement.

History and Culture

Satala became a military base during the Roman period, where the XV Apollinaris Legion was stationed. The Anatolian Seljuks took the region in 1058. The 1516 tahrir recorded 128 villages and 36 mezra in Kelkit kaza. Kelkit became a kaza in 1840, and its population grew considerably once it became the centre.

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Places to Visit in Kelkit

  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature
Ancient City

Satala (Sadak) Ancient City

In the ancient city near Sadak village, to the south-east of Kelkit, the Roman XV Apollinaris Legion was stationed.

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Kelkit Valley - Kelkit Photo: Sinan Şahin (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Nature

Kelkit Valley

The valley formed by the Kelkit River, a landscape of historical importance.

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Nature

Kelkit Plateaus

The highland pastures in the upper parts of the district are favoured for camping and nature tourism in summer for their cool air and wide meadows.

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Places to Visit Around Gümüşhane Province

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While you are in Kelkit, you can also see the highlights of Gümüşhane province. These places are in other districts; Kelkit is about 65 km from the provincial centre.

  • Karaca Cave — A cave in the village of Cebeli in Torul, 1,550 metres above sea level and 17 km from the city centre; with its stalactites, stalagmites, columns, cave pearls and travertine terraces, it is one of the most beautiful caves in Türkiye.
  • Santa Ruins — Former Greek mining villages scattered across the slopes of the Yanbolu valley at 1,600 metres, in the village of Dumanlı in the central district.
  • Limni Lake Nature Park — A highland lake surrounded by spruce and Scots pine forest in the village of Zigana in Torul; it was declared a nature park in 2011. There is a walking path around the lake, and on misty days it has a special atmosphere.
  • Artabel Lakes Nature Park — A mountainous area in Torul, declared a nature park in 1998, with more than 15 lakes formed in the Ice Age, five of them large; its highest point is the 3,331-metre Abdalmusa Peak.
  • Satala Ancient City — In the village of Sadak in Kelkit, the permanent camp of the XV Apollinaris legion on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire; Emperor Trajan visited it in 115. The remains of an aqueduct still stand, and the bronze head of Aphrodite of Satala in the British Museum was found here.
  • Süleymaniye (Old Gümüşhane) — The historic core of the city; of the old settlement that grew thanks to the silver mines and the Silk Road, examples of mosques, churches, hammams, fountains and civil architecture remain.

Practical Information for Visiting Kelkit

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Summer months (June–September)
Places to visit
3 places

What to Eat in Kelkit

Food guide →

  • Kelkit Şeker Fasulyesi (Kelkit sugar beans)

    A dried bean grown in Kelkit, Şiran and Köse districts, which received a protected designation of origin from TÜRKPATENT in 2020. Because of the pink spot on its white seeds it is also called "pembegöz" among the people. It is harvested in autumn and served as a dried bean in local restaurants and at home.

  • Kelkit Kavurması (sautéed meat)

    According to local guides, kavurma is served in the restaurants of the Kelkit bazaar at around 16.00–17.00 and sells out quickly. Eating it as a hot sandwich is a known custom in the area.

  • Kelkit Döneri

    Named by Gümüşhane guides alongside kavurma among Kelkit's leading meat dishes. It is found in restaurants in the bazaar.

  • Siron (savoury pastry roll)

    Made by filling thin yufka with minced meat or potato, rolling it and baking it. It is a traditional flavour of Kelkit.

  • Pestil ve Köme (fruit leather and walnut sweet)

    Pestil made from mulberry or grape juice and köme with walnuts are the best-known sweets of Kelkit.

  • Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)

    Made by boiling and pounding wheat and meat for a long time, keşkek is an essential dish at weddings and festive meals. Prepared in a communal spirit, it is a must at wedding tables.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kelkit

  • Roman Legion Heritage

    The ancient city of Satala in Kelkit was one of the most important military bases on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. The XV Apollinaris Legion was stationed there.

  • Kelkit Culture

    Kelkit is the most populous district of Gümüşhane and has a rich cultural heritage of traditional wedding customs, folk dances and local handicrafts.

Local Products

  • Kelkit Ketesi (bakery product) — Kelkit Ketesi was registered as a geographical indication on 2 December 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 961). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Kelkit Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Kelkit Şeker Fasulyesi (Kelkit sugar beans) — A product registered as a protected designation of origin with TÜRKPATENT (No. 479, 2 January 2020); grown in Kelkit, Şiran and Köse districts.
  • Kelkit Zilli Kilimi (Kelkit zilli rug) — Kelkit Zilli Kilimi was registered as a geographical indication on 21 June 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 437). Product group: carpets and kilims. Registered by: Kelkit District Governorship.

Economy

Kelkit is the largest district of Gümüşhane. Agriculture and livestock form the basis of the economy. Wheat, barley and sugar beet production are the main sources of income. Pestil production is also an important economic activity.

How to Get to Kelkit

Kelkit is 65 km from Gümüşhane provincial centre and lies on the Erzincan–Gümüşhane road. Trabzon Airport is about 170 km away.

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Kelkit: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Kelkit?

The three highlights in Kelkit are Satala (Sadak) Ancient City, Kelkit Valley and Kelkit Plateaus.

What should I eat in Kelkit?

Kelkit Şeker Fasulyesi, Kelkit Kavurması, Kelkit Döneri, Siron, Pestil and Köme, and Keşkek are the standout foods on Kelkit's tables.

What is Kelkit famous for?

Kelkit is known for its Kelkit Şeker Fasulyesi, which holds a protected designation of origin, for Kelkit Ketesi and kavurma, and for the Roman-era ancient city of Satala.

How do I get to Kelkit?

Kelkit is 65 km from Gümüşhane provincial centre and lies on the Erzincan–Gümüşhane road. Trabzon Airport is about 170 km away.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Kelkit?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).

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