Things to Do in Erzurum, Turkey

1. Çifte Minareli Medrese (Twin Minaret Madrasa)

Twin Minaret Madrasa

A striking 13th-century Seljuk façade with twin minarets soaring above Erzurum's old town. Walk among intricate stone carvings and an atmospheric courtyard, ideal for photos.

Quick facts: Dva minareta koja se uzdižu prema nebu odmah privlače pažnju na fasadi, bogati geometrijski i biljčni motivi na kamenim površinama nude detalje koje se mogu satima proučavati izbliza. Široki, visoki portal stvara upečatljiv okvir za fotografije posjetilaca, a hladan miris kamena koji nosi vjetar prvo se osjeti pri ulasku.

Highlights: Svjetlo predvečer reflektira siluete dva minareta na kamenim rezbarijama portala mekim zlatnim tonovima. Fotografkinje i fotografi posebno traže svjetlosne igre u zalazak sunca. Kada posjetioci dodirnu kamene površine, osjećaju hladnu, grubu teksturu i fine rezbarske detalje na prstima. Prema lokalnim pričama, učenici su dodirivali prag radi sreće.

2. Yakutiye Medrese

Stunning Seljuk medrese with an ornate stone portal and turquoise tiles. Explore the courtyard and small museum, soaking up medieval Erzurum.

Quick facts: Složeni geometrijski mozaici i fini kameni rezbarije direktno pokazuju koliko je ručni rad detaljan. Tišina u avliji je posebno impresivna uz blago zveketanje kamenih površina na vjetru i sjaj hladnih kamenova na zimskom suncu.

Highlights: Kada zakoračite kroz vrata, hladnoća kamenja zaustavi dah na trenutak u avliji, a sjenke oživljavaju rezbarene uzorke na filmski način. Pod noćnim osvjetljenjem, plava boja mozaika postaje dublja, a goli dodir kamenja na vrhovima prstiju je grublji ali gotovo svileni.

3. Erzurum Castle (Erzurum Kalesi)

Erzurum Kalesi

Clifftop fortress with sweeping views over Erzurum and the Palandöken peaks. Walk ramparts, inspect ancient towers and trace Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman layers.

Quick facts: Walking on the walls made of high stone, the sounds carried by the wind almost whisper the notes of the past, and repair marks from different periods can be read side by side on the stones. The view from the hill offers a wide perspective of the city, especially in winter when covered with snow, the play of light on the roofs attracts photographers' attention.

Highlights: Looking from a high point on the walls, on winter days, the howl of the wind and the rustling of snow combine with the silence coming from the monumental stones to create a cinematic atmosphere. Two different stoneworks seen at the base of the towers show the meeting of large blocks split with hand axe blows and fine cut stones with walls up to 10 meters high; the cold, rough surface is immediately felt when touched.

4. Erzurum Grand Mosque (Erzurum Ulu Camii)

Erzurum Ulu Camii

A monumental Seljuk-era mosque with striking stonework and twin minarets, showing Erzurum's medieval importance. Explore intricate wooden interiors, the historic mihrab and a peaceful courtyard.

Quick facts: Behind thick stone walls, there is an unexpected wealth of craftsmanship: delicate carved wooden decorations and hand-painted tiles add a different texture to every corner.

Highlights: In the late afternoon, light filtering through three small windows on the north facade falls clearly in three clusters on the marble floor; this moment creates a striking contrast of gold and blue tones in photographs. When you touch the steps of the pulpit, you smell burning old wood and wax candles, as if fingerprints have wiped away the polish and left a historic touch.

5. Erzurum Congress Building / Atatürk House (Erzurum Kongre Binası)

Erzurum Kongre Binası

Step into the room where Turkey’s 1919 Erzurum Congress shaped a nation. Explore original documents, period rooms and Atatürk’s preserved study.

Quick facts: Visitors immediately feel the nostalgia evoked by the wooden flooring and old gas lamps as they walk in the shade of the plane trees. More than 200 photographs and documents displayed inside the place offer surprising details about the decision-making process during the period of liberation.

Highlights: The scent of wood in the corridors and the sharp smell of old leather-bound documents make history come alive during the approximately 15-minute reenactment offered by the guides. Local tales say that a small note box mentioning Kazım Karabekir's name is still there and visitors listen to the story of that box during a special 3-minute stop with a guide.

6. Palandöken Mountain & Palandöken Ski Center (Palandöken Dağı / Kayak Merkezi)

Palandöken Dağı / Kayak Merkezi

High-altitude slopes and long season make Palandöken Turkey's top alpine ski area. Expect steep pistes, fast chairlifts, and panoramic Erzurum views.

Quick facts: When the peaks exceed 3,000 meters, fine powder snow and steep slopes turn skiing into a completely different experience. The long network of slopes spread across the season and the possibility of night skiing open until late hours cater to athletes of every level.

Highlights: While night skiing on a lit slope, the icy air hitting your face and the fine snowflakes sparkling under the lights during the 3.5-kilometer descent speed you up without tiring you. In technical tours organized by guides in small groups, usually teams of 10-15 people learn how to use dry powder snow, and local sweets are offered to participants at the end of the training.

7. Tortum Waterfall (Tortum Şelalesi)

Tortum Şelalesi

Dramatic, powerful waterfall on a high Anatolian plateau, framed by a rugged gorge and historic viaduct. Walk close to misty viewing platforms and scenic river trails for memorable photos.

Quick facts: Tanki plavi oblak magle stvoren padom vode s visine daje mističnu atmosferu fotografijama posjetilaca. Izvori koji izbijaju s kamenitih površina kanjona mogu brzo promijeniti protok vode u zavisnosti od godišnjeg doba; posebno tokom topljenja snijega protok može narasti nekoliko puta.

Highlights: Pritisak od 48 metara pada vode na mjestu pada finih vodenih zavjesa osjećaju se kao duboki šumovi odjekujući po kameno površini i hladne kapi koje udaraju u lice. Fotografkinje i fotografi kažu da stari navodni otvori za navodnjavanje, kada se otvore, mogu utrostručiti protok i tada se pogled pretvara u scenu iz filma. Većina posjetilaca ne doživi taj iznenadni nalet.

8. Narman Fairy Chimneys (Narman Peribacaları)

Narman Peribacaları

Towering volcanic pillars sculpt a surreal landscape near Erzurum. Walk among fairy chimneys and capture dramatic light across the high plateau.

Quick facts: Dok šetate između oštrih stubova koji su oblikovani erozijom vjetra i vode na mekim tufnim stijenama, osjećate kako se goli kamen mrvi poput pijeska i kako prstima pada prašina. Najviši stubovi dosežu visinu od 10 do 15 metara, neki s otvorima u obliku prozora i finim vrhovima stvaraju dramatične sjene na fotografijama.

Highlights: Zalazeće sunce boji kamene površine u crveno i narandžasto, dok se boje mijenjaju u dramatičnom spektaklu za nekoliko minuta. Prema priči vodiča Mehmeta Uste, najdublja udubina u dolini korištena je kao ostava dubine oko 2,5 metra. Kada ruku stavite unutra, još se osjeti miris vlažne zemlje i trava.

9. Erzurum Archaeology and Ethnography Museum (Erzurum Müzesi)

Erzurum Müzesi

Discover millennia of Anatolian history in Urartian tombs and regional folk culture. Walk among stone sarcophagi, embroidered costumes and village life reconstructions.

Quick facts: Bronzani oružje i nakit sjaje u zatvorenim staklenim vitrinama, pričajući žive priče drevnih trgovačkih puteva. Posjetioci, zamišljajući teksturu ćilima, osjećaju kako su rukotvorine neraskidivo povezane sa svakodnevnim životom. Na vođenim turama ističu se ljudske priče iza predmeta.

Highlights: Više od 300 arheoloških predmeta izloženo je jedan pored drugog u jednoj vitrini. Najstariji je star oko 3.000 godina i odmah se primjećuje fino ručno izrađeni rad. Svjetlost koja pada poslije podne oživljava crvene i tamnoplave pigmente na kamenim reljefima, a mali izvještaj o restauraciji iz 1887. godine nalazi se na etiketi ispod izložbe kao tajni šapat.

10. Aziziye Fort (Aziziye Tabyaları)

Aziziye Tabyaları

A commanding Ottoman hilltop fortress that shaped Erzurum's 19th-century history. Climb stone ramparts for sweeping city and mountain views and restored gun emplacements.

Quick facts: Wide cannon nests lined up on the high stone walls easily show how functional the defense architecture is. Visitors can approach the edge of the walls and observe the fine lines left on the stone texture by the wind and snow.

Highlights: The thing that best conveys the traces of the siege is the old cannon nest, about 60 centimeters in diameter, that local guides call the 'Cannon Pit,' still visible at the base of the wall. When the sun sets, the sound of footsteps echoing on the stone stairs and the sharp smell given off by the cold stone bring to life the breath of the night defense watches.