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13 places to visit in the Koyulhisar district of Sivas: Koyulhisar Castle, Kelkit River Valley and Dumanlı Mountain. Plan your trip to Koyulhisar with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Koyulhisar is the northernmost district of Sivas province and lies in the Black Sea climate zone. The district covers 891 km² and sits at an altitude of 946 m. Its former name was Muşaz.

History

Koyulhisar’s past goes back to the earliest civilisations. Its former name was Kolonya, an important trading centre of the time. In the early Christian period, the district, known as Nicopolis (Anniaca), had a monastery, and the monk Johannes Hesychastes was born there in 454. Duman Baba, a leading Alevi figure, was one of the first disciples of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli. He took part in the Shaykh Ishak Revolt of 1240 and died in this region. The fortress known as Kale-i Bala was built by the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan, a Kızılbaş, out of fear of Mehmed the Conqueror, and a dagger with gold plating was found inside the castle. In 1461, Mehmed the Conqueror had a mosque built in Yukarıkale village and appointed a descendant of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi as its imam.

Monument Fountain

The Monument Fountain in the district centre expresses the gratitude of the Turkish army to the people of Koyulhisar.

1939 Erzincan Earthquake

After the earthquake, Koyulhisar was relocated and rebuilt.

History and Culture

During the Ottoman period, Koyulhisar was attached to Trabzon province under the name Muşaz district. Koyulhisar became a district of Sivas province in 1934. The district’s former name was Kolonya; in the Etiler period it stood at the Hanlar site between today’s Koyulhisar and Suşehri. Koyulhisar Castle was given to Uzun Hasan as a dowry by the Greek Pontic King of Trabzon. The Alemdar Mosque was used as a hospital during the War of Independence and as shelter for the homeless after the 1939 earthquake.

Highlights

From 1923 to 1933, Koyulhisar was a district of Şebinkarahisar, which was a province in that period. A large part of the local population is made up of Turkmen and Çepni people.

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Places to Visit in Koyulhisar

  • 6 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 4 Nature

Historic Sites 6

Historic

Eğriçimen Mound

A mound on Eğriçimen Plateau; according to its finds, it was inhabited in ancient times.

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Historic

Lower Castle (Kale-i Zir)

Some wall remains of the castle still stand.

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Historic

Upper Castle (Kale-i Bala)

The ruins of the castle lie on steep slopes east of Yukarıkale village.

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Historic

Hacı Murat Caravanserai

A caravanserai built of dressed stone on the Suşehri-Niksar road; its walls have survived.

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Historic

Monument Fountain

A fountain in the district centre; it is stated to have been built by the Turkish army as an expression of gratitude to the people of Koyulhisar.

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Historic

Şükrü Demircan Mansion

A mansion in the district centre.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Koyulhisar Castle

Kale-i Bala, in the old centre of Koyulhisar, was built by the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan (Kızılbaş).

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Alemdar Mosque

A mosque in the district centre, in the Çamlıyaka locality.

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Religious

Fatih Mosque

A mosque counted among the cultural assets of Koyulhisar.

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Natural Wonders 4

Nature

Kelkit River Valley

The valley formed by the Kelkit River, known as a fault line, which stretches out at the feet of Koyulhisar.

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Nature

Dumanlı Mountain

Dumanlı Mountain, known as Duman Baba, is the major height that Koyulhisar leans against.

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Nature

Eğriçimen Plateau

A plateau about 17 km from Koyulhisar town centre, surrounded by pine forests. The plateau offers accommodation run by the municipality.

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Nature

Sarıçiçek Plateau

A plateau 17 km south of the town centre.

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Places to Visit Around Sivas Province

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While you are in Koyulhisar, you can also see the highlights of Sivas province. These places are in other districts; Koyulhisar is about 130 km from the provincial centre.

  • Divriği Grand Mosque and Hospital — In Divriği, a mosque built in 1228–29 for the Mengücek ruler Ahmed Şah and a hospital (darüşşifa) built for his wife Turan Melek; they are attributed to the architect Ahlatlı Hürrem Şah.
  • Divriği Castle — A castle looking down on Divriği (1,013 m) from above the valley of the Çaltı Stream; it offers views over the town and the valley.
  • Gök Madrasa — Also known as the Sahibiye Madrasa; it was built in 1271 in the reign of Gıyâseddin Keyhüsrev III as a foundation of the vizier Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali, by the architect Kaluyan el-Konevî, and takes its name from its turquoise tiles.
  • Buruciye Madrasa — A madrasa built in 1271 by Muzafferüddin Burucirdî of Burucird, regarded as one of the finest examples of Seljuk stone carving.
  • Kangal Balıklı Hot Spring — 13 km from the centre of Kangal district, one of the rare thermal springs where fish live in the water; its designation of origin is registered.
  • Sivas Atatürk and Congress Museum — The Sivas Congress met from 4 to 12 September 1919 in this building, which opened as a high school in 1887; the congress hall can be visited today as a museum.

Practical Information for Visiting Koyulhisar

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
13 places

What to Eat in Koyulhisar

Food guide →

  • Sivas Köftesi (Sivas meatballs)

    Sivas köftesi, made with minced meat and spices, is served in the traditional way in Koyulhisar too.

  • Keşkek (wheat and meat dish)

    Keşkek, made by slow-cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is an essential at wedding tables. Serving it drizzled with melted butter is part of the tradition.

  • Koyulhisar tomato

    A local tomato grown from heirloom seed in Koyulhisar, registered with a geographical indication.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Koyulhisar

  • Rural Way of Life

    Koyulhisar is a district that keeps its traditional rural way of life alive. This tradition is passed from generation to generation as an important element of the local people's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Koyulhisar Tomato — Koyulhisar Tomato was registered as a protected designation of origin on 20 January 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 653). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Koyulhisar Chamber of Agriculture.
  • Wheat — Wheat is grown in Koyulhisar.

Economy

Koyulhisar's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Sheep and cattle farming are important sources of livelihood. Beekeeping and forestry are also practised in the district.

How to Get to Koyulhisar

Koyulhisar is 130 km from Sivas city centre. It lies on the Tokat-Sivas road.

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Koyulhisar: Frequently Asked Questions

What to see in Koyulhisar?

The 13 highlights of Koyulhisar are Koyulhisar Castle, Kelkit River Valley, Dumanlı Mountain, Eğriçimen Plateau, Sarıçiçek Plateau, Eğriçimen Mound, Lower Castle (Kale-i Zir), Upper Castle (Kale-i Bala), Hacı Murat Caravanserai, Monument Fountain, Alemdar Mosque, Fatih Mosque and Şükrü Demircan Mansion.

What to eat in Koyulhisar?

Sivas Köftesi, Keşkek and Koyulhisar tomatoes are the standout dishes at Koyulhisar's tables.

What is Koyulhisar famous for?

Koyulhisar is known for its Koyulhisar Tomato and its rural way of life. It is a registered product with a protected designation of origin from TÜRKPATENT.

How to get to Koyulhisar?

Koyulhisar is 130 km from Sivas city centre. It lies on the Tokat-Sivas road.

How much time should I allow for Koyulhisar?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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