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10 places to visit in the Yıldızeli district of Sivas: Yıldız Dağı Ski Centre, Yıldızeli Plain and Yıldızeli Castle. Plan your trip to Yıldızeli with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Yıldızeli is a district of Sivas province, with an area of 2,529 km², an altitude of 1,361 m and a population of 26,567. Its former name was Yenihan; in the 1930s it was renamed Yıldızeli, inspired by Yıldız Mountain to its north. It is a district 47 km west of Sivas.

Geographical Location

At 1,400 metres above sea level, it is known as one of the highest districts of the Central Anatolia Region. Yıldızeli is 47 km from Sivas city centre and lies on the Sivas–Ankara and Sivas–Tokat roads. The district also has the Sivas–Samsun railway network.

Surface Features

Located in the north-east of Central Anatolia, Yıldızeli has high and rugged terrain. Most of its land is Tertiary sedimentary ground; organic limestone, clay, marl, greywacke, sand and marble are among the formations found on the land.

Mountains and Plains

Yıldızeli is bordered by Çal Mountain to the south and the Çamlıbel mountains to the north-west. Yıldız Mountain, a dormant volcano in the north-east of the district, rising to 2,537 m, is one of its major peaks. The Yıldızeli (Bedehdun) Plain lies on the widening floor of the Yıldızeli Stream valley; in its central parts the plain is not very wide. The waters of the Yıldızeli Stream, which flows through the middle of the plain, decrease in summer, so little use can be made of it for irrigation.

Climate

Yıldızeli has a continental climate, with rainfall in autumn, winter and spring. Summer is short, and winters are harsh and cold; snow sometimes lies for months.

History and Culture

Pir Sultan Abdal, one of the seven great poets of Anatolian Alevism and Turkish folk literature, is associated with the district. Yenihan Dolls are a registered handicraft made entirely by hand, and take their name from the district’s historic name, Yenihan. During the winter months, neighbours and relatives host one another in turn, in a tradition called herfene.

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Places to Visit in Yıldızeli

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 5 Nature
  • 1 Cultural
  • 1 Other

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Yıldızeli Castle

Castle ruins on the hill above the district centre, dating from the Seljuk period. Made up of an inner and an outer castle, its water cisterns are still visible.

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Historic

Yıldız Bridge

A historic bridge over the Yıldız River, built in the Anatolian Seljuk period.

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Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Paşa Mosque

The mosque in the district centre, built in 1639–1640 by Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Paşa, Grand Vizier under Murad IV.

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Natural Wonders 5

Nature

Yıldızeli Plain

The plain on the widening floor of the Yıldızeli Stream valley.

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Nature

Sıcak Çermik

A thermal treatment and holiday centre of national importance, on the Sivas–Ankara road.

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Nature

Altınkale Travertines

Travertines in the Sıcak Çermik basin, developed as a landscaping and recreation project in 2020.

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Nature

Uyuz (Bakırcıoğlu) Çermiği

A çermik (thermal spring) within the boundaries of Bakırcıoğlu village.

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Nature

Yıldız Mountain

A dormant volcanic mountain in the north-east of the district.

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Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Banaz Village

Associated with Pir Sultan Abdal, the village has his house, a monument and the Topuzlu Baba Tomb, which can be visited.

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Other Places 1

Other

Yıldız Dağı Ski Centre

A ski centre on Yıldız Mountain, a dormant volcanic peak 2,537 m high in the north-east of the district.

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Places to Visit Around Sivas Province

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While you are in Yıldızeli, you can also see the highlights of Sivas province. These places are in other districts; Yıldızeli is about 50 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 Yıldızeli

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Winter (skiing), spring–summer (nature)
Places to visit
10 places

What to Eat in Yıldızeli

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  • Sivas Köftesi

    Sivas köftesi, prepared with minced meat and spices, is also served in Yıldızeli using the traditional recipe.

  • Madımak Çorbası (wild herb soup)

    A soup made with local wild madımak herb, bulgur and yoghurt, a traditional dish of Yıldızeli.

  • Madımak (wild herb stew)

    A dish made from wild herbs, usually cooked in the region with dried meat (kakç) or pastırma with çemen (fenugreek).

  • Peskutan Çorbası (dried yoghurt soup)

    A soup made in winter from kışlık katık, a winter staple obtained by straining, salting and cooking spring yoghurt and drying it in the sun, then dissolving it in water.

  • Hingel (Sivas Mantısı)

    A dough dish, folded larger than classic mantı, filled with potato or minced meat.

  • Tel Helvası

    A traditional sweet that requires skill to make, pulled by hand in the communal imece method.

  • Kaman Mineral Water

    Natural mineral water from Kaman village, within the district boundaries.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Yıldızeli

  • Winter Sports Culture

    Yıldız Dağı Ski Centre forms the basis of Yıldızeli's tourism identity. Winter sports events bring life to the district.

Local Products

  • Wheat — Wheat is widely grown in Yıldızeli.

Economy

Yıldızeli's economy is based on agriculture, livestock farming and winter tourism. Wheat and barley are the main agricultural products. Yıldız Dağı Ski Centre generates tourism income.

How to Get to Yıldızeli

Yıldızeli is 50 km from Sivas city centre. It lies on the Tokat road.

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Yıldızeli: Frequently Asked Questions

What is worth seeing in Yıldızeli?

The 10 leading places in Yıldızeli: Yıldız Dağı Ski Centre, Yıldızeli Plain, Yıldızeli Castle, Sıcak Çermik, Altınkale Travertines, Uyuz (Bakırcıoğlu) Çermiği, Yıldız Bridge, Kemankeş Kara Mustafa Paşa Mosque, Banaz Village and Yıldız Mountain.

What is there to eat in Yıldızeli?

Sivas Köftesi, Madımak Çorbası, Madımak and Peskutan Çorbası are the standout dishes on Yıldızeli's tables.

What is Yıldızeli famous for?

Yıldızeli is known for Wheat and Winter Sports Culture. Wheat is widely grown in Yıldızeli.

How do I get to Yıldızeli?

Yıldızeli is 50 km from Sivas city centre. It lies on the Tokat road.

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

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: winter (skiing), spring–summer (nature).

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