Altınyayla Plain
A plain in the north of the district. It was known as the Tonus Plain in the Ottoman period.
View on map5 places to visit in the Altınyayla district of Sivas: Altınyayla Plain, Tödürge Lake (South Shore) and Sarissa Ancient City. Plan your trip to Altınyayla with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Geographical Location and Population
Altınyayla is a district of Sivas province. It is bordered by Şarkışla to the north-west, Ulaş and Sivas to the north-east, Kangal to the south-east, and Pınarbaşı (Kayseri) to the south-west. The district covers 654 km² and has an average elevation of 1,453 metres above sea level.
History
The Altınyayla district was founded six centuries ago and was formerly called Tonus. From the earliest ages of its history, it became one of the settlement centres of the Hittite, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations. An important stopping place during the Ottoman Empire, Altınyayla underwent a name change in 1972 and gained district status in 1990.
Geographical Features
About 70% of the land is plateau and 30% is mountainous. In the south-west there is Karatonus Mountain, in the north the Tonus Plain, in the south the İncecik and Mergesen Plateau, and in the south-east the Yücekaya Plateau. The district has the continental climate typical of Central Anatolia.
History and Culture
The district is a settlement with the former name Tonus, thought to have been founded six centuries ago. Tonus took the name Altınyayla in a name change in 1972. Sarissa is the fifth centre where Hittite kings carried out their summer work and where tablets were found. One of the most important finds from the Sarissa excavations is the Twin Bull Rhyton statue.
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