TOKAT

Tokat, a city of 113100 people, (according to 2000 census), is the capital of the Tokat Province of Turkey. The province lies in the mid Black Sea region of Anatolia but Tokat city occupies a more inland site. Tokat produces tobacco, cereals and sugar beets and specializes in horticulture. It mines minerals like lignite, antimony and marble and its industries include manufacture of copper utensils, tanning and calico printing.

The city and the province have a rich past. Roaming the city, you get a feel of the times gone by. Two more historically important cities of Tokat are Niksar, once the capital of the Danishmend Turks, and Zile, 67 kilometers west of Tokat. It is in Zile that Julius Caesar is said to have uttered his famous words ‘veni, vidi,vici.

By road you can reach Tokat from every province of the country. Air Transportation is available at Tokat Airport, 17 kilometers from Tokat. There are regular flights from there between Istanbul and Ankara. Tokat has good rail connections also. The Railway line between Sivas and Samsun passes through the Artova, Zile and Turhal districts of the province.

History of Tokat

Tokat is the site of the important ancient Roman city of Comana of Pontus, which was destroyed in 47 BCE by the Romans. In 1071 CE, it became a part of the Danismend Turkmen principality, and one of its principal cities. The region prospered from the trade between Anatolia and Persia.

In the 13th century, it came under the Seljuks and in1392 became part of the Ottoman Empire by popular request of the inhabitants who were suffering because of the Mongols. Under the Ottomans, Tokat enjoyed security and prosperity, but due to loss of the Persian trade route, suffered a decline in its fortunes.

Tokat Museum

Located in Tokat city and built in 1220 A.D, it was earlier the famous Gok Medrese theological school and is the most important Seljukian building. You can see in this structure all characteristic elements of fine Seljuk art and architecture. Under the Ottomans, it was transformed into a hospital and shelter for immigrants. It is now converted into a museum, housing archaeological finds from the area.
 

Latifoglu Mansion

This building is an out standing example of Turkish baroque architecture. It is a double storied structure made from wood carcass and adobe material. It is now a museum exhibiting fine woodcrafts.
 

Ottoman Citadel

This Ottoman citadel of 28 towers is the city’s most important landmark. It is built on a rocky hill and overlooks the city.
 

Mast Tumulus

This ancient site is in Zile district of the province. It has remains from the Bronze, Hittite and Phrygian periods. Some of the more interesting remains are the palace of a Hittitite ruler, earthenware utensils and Hittite hieroglyphics.
 

Sulusaray (Sebastapolis)

This ancient city is 68 kilometers southwest of Tokat. The tumulus has remains of Old Bronze Age of BC 3000, Hittite age of BC 2000 and Frigian Age of BC 1000. Earthenware from these periods is exhibited in the Tokat Museum. The excavations have revealed the ruined ramparts of the city, a church ruin, a bath and a health center.
 

Niksar Water Springs

Niksar is also known for its famous spring water. They are reputed to be very pure and clear. Visitors are recommended not to return without sipping its delicious waters.

Indere (Ballica)

The cave is located in the Pazar District of Tokat. It is a beautiful seven layered cave with two layers above the entrance and five below it. There are small ponds, drippings, dry natural pools in every floor. Excessive mud and wet clay makes ascent and descent difficult. Remarkably, there are no breathing problems even when you go deep inside the cave.

The cave expands as you go east or west or up or down. 45 to 50 meters inside the cave is a wide saloon having plastered walls, showing it was once in use. The cave then expands north and northeast as a gallery of 25-30 meters. There are chambers on both sides of the gallery, which finally leads into a big saloon. Stalactites, stalagmites, pillars and water ponds are found inside this saloon. This section of the cave is accepted as the first layer and is 150 meters from the entrance.

The second layer, 10 meters below the first, is like a large saloon. There are stalactite, stalagmite and pillars present inside this saloon. At the end of the second layer, the cave descends to the third layer. The third and fourth layers have a breathtaking collection of pillars, stalactites and stalagmites. The shortest distance between the end of the fourth layer and the cave entrance is about 350 meters. There is a lake at the fifth layer.

Hotels and Food in Tokat

The food in Tokat province is quite rich and good as appetizers. You must have the Tokat Kebab at the city’s Zehra Anna restaurant. It is a nice combination of lamb meat, tomato, garlic and aubergine. Etli Dolma (Stuffed vegetables with meat), Bakla Dolmasi (Stuffed Broad Beans), are the other food varieties. The wine of Tokat province has a distinct flavor. You must taste the Mahlep wine produced only in Tokat province.

The best places to buy various souvenirs in Tokat are Yazmacilar Bazaar, Bakirci (copper artizans) Bazaar, Zurnaci (Shrill pipe) Bazaar and Çarikçi (Rawhide sandal) Bazaar. The preffered souvenirs are the wooden pressed hand made kerchiefs.

Good standard hotels are the 4-star Hotel Tokat Oteli and Hotel Buyuk Tokat. Besides, there are less expensive but reasonably good 3 and 2-star hotels. Many of the 3-star hotels are almost as good as the 4-star hotels offering facilities such as mini bar phone and TV. The 2 star hotels are mainly bed and breakfast accommodations. But some 2 stars hotels also match the 3 star qualities.

Maps of Tokat

Fotoğraflar Tokat Belediyesi Basın Yayın ve Halkla İlişkiler Müdürlüğü tarafından hazırlanmıştır