Welcome to the local excursions pages. As an information we’d like to introduce Sivas and its environment for your travel needs and for your exploration. Anatolia keeps it’s cultural treasure for many years even from the ancient times goes up to 3000 B. C. Wherever you go and pay visit, you’ll admire the richness of the culture of Asia Minor, Anatolia here we call the cradle of civilizations.
Deren Koray Tourism invites you to explore the regional beauties during your treatment process. As an accompanier or patient why not taking the advantage of professional service from Deren Koray Tourism ?. You may get our assistance by renting a car, having a professional guide, providing package weekend gateways to the neighborhood locations such as worldwide famous Cappadocia, Kayseri, Malatya or Ankara.
As a great prize and great moral at the end of your treatment package, you may also add some spice by visiting the most famous places of interests like Istanbul, beautiful Aegean and Mediterranean shores as well as having the historical landmarks like Ephesus, 7 churches of Asia Minor, Antalya and its environs and many more. If you would like to get the idea of the places of interest we invite you to log on www.turkishtravel.com travel pages for travelling Turkey.
SIVAS AND ENVIRONS
Sivas is a province in the eastern Anatolia situated in the northern of a valley called Yukari Kizilirmak. During the Hittite period (2000 B.C.), Sivas was an important settlement and later the Sivas Frig Empire (1200 B.C.) came to power. In Lydian times the famous Royal Road passed through Sivas. From stories handed down, the area has been called Sibasip meaning “three mills”. After the Turkish victory at the battle of Malazgirt in 1071, Sivas was included in the land of the Seljuk Empire. Emir. Danismend Gazi, a commander under Sultan Alparslan, conquered Sivas and became ruler of the Danismend Principality. Sivas was used as the capital of the Seljuk Empire and was the centre of one of the most advanced civilizations of the times being selled Darulala or exalted City. Sivas has been under the protection of the Ilhanians in the late 13th Century the Ertana rulership in the middle of the 14’th century, in 1381 the Kadiburhaneddin Empire and finally, in 1398 Ottoman Empire. Sivas won an important place in Turkish history by hosting the Sivas Congress of September 4, 1919 at this meeting Ataturk (Turk’s father, the founder of modern Turkish Republic) assumed the position of leadership and important decisions were made in the founding of the Turkish Republic. Sivas (pop 221. 512) is the capital of the province (pop 767. 481) covering 28. 488 sq. km, comprised of 17 cities, 38 sub districts and 1246 villages. Road train and plane connections are possible to the other neighboring cities of Kayseri, Yozgat, Tokat, Ordu, Giresun, Malatya, Erzincan and Kahramanmaras. (Picture Gallery)
Our customers enjoy the daily tours of Deren Koray Tourism that is specially customized for the patients and accompaniers. In order to get information about the daily tour in Sivas just click here and get the advantage of visiting world wide famous places of interests and feel the richness of the culture, do regional shopping we bet you will never and ever find anywhere in the world in its historic atmosphere. Get the unlimited services from Deren Koray Tourism Why not logging on our virtual tour or video gallery and get the idea about what awaits for you.
HISTORICAL SITES OF SIVAS
Sivas Kalesi: On the side of the castle, that no longer exists, is a public park.
Ulu Mosque: Reverence books found in the Sivas Museum mention that this mosque was built in 1196-97 by Kilicarslan Bin ibrahim. The mosque was built in a rectangular shape (31 m x 45m) with a 1674 sq. meter covered courtyard. Facing the south worship area of 50 columns arranged in 11 paralel rows. The cylinder shaped brick minaret was built in the 13’th century and has 116 steps to the top. Bands of Cufic inscriptions on the turquoise glazed tiles are found on the octagonal base of the minaret. (For detailed gallery please click here)
Sifahiye Medrese (Theological College): Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus I. had this structure built in 1217. This is the oldest and the most extensive hospital and healing centers of the Seljuks. Izzeddin Keykavus I. wrote in his will, that the wanted to be buried in Sivas, that the loved and in the hospital that he had built. When he died in 1220, he was buried in a chamber in the south wall set aside for this purpose. This site is situated in the Selcuk park across from the cifte Minareli Medrese.
Cifte Minareli Medrese (Theological College): One of the most important places of interests in the world. Built in 1271 by the Ilhan Vezier Semseddin Mehmed Cuveyni as a school for the study of the traditions of the words and sayings of the prophet. Today only a section of the east wall remains standing. It was composed of a front facade, two minarets in the middle, an entrance gate, two windows on each (side and towers in each) corner. By adopting this kind of arrangement it gives an impression of a rather strong feeling life and movements and the playing of light and shadow. It is believed that this is the work of the architect Keluk Bin Abdullah.
Gok Medrese (Theological College): lt was built in 1271 by the Seljuk Vezier Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali. The entrance gate has interesting brick work and the two minarets have blue tile work from which it derives its name Gok (Sky) Medrese. The south and north chambers have especially nice tiles.
Buruciye Medrese (Theological College): This pretty theological school of the Seljuks has an open courtyard surrounded by four chambers. Hibetullah Burucerdioglu Muzaffer, an important personage during the reign of Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev, had this Medrese built in 1271. The stone work of the main entrance gate and the tile of the mausoleum on the left are of importance. Since 1968 it has been used as the Sivas Museum.
Guduk Minaret: This structure was built in 1347 as a burial site Seyh Hasan Bey of Ertana, whose remains lie in the black marble sarcophagus. The short brick cylinder structure rests on a square base and because it resembles a minaret it is popularly called Guduk Medrese or Short Minaret.
Divrigi Ulu Mosque and Hospital: (176 Km. From Sivas) The ruler Suleyman Sahoglu Ahmed Sah of the Mengucek tribe built this Ulu Mosque in 1228. Entrance to the 1280 sq. meter central courtyard is gained by the three superbly decorated stone work on the west north and south gates. UNESCO declared this Mosque as one of the cultural heritages of the world. The hospital (Darussifa) a marvelous structure around a 7678 sq. courtyard was built in 1228 by Melik Turan Melek daughter of Behramsah. It was used in the 18th century as a medrese (theological school) and hence today the name Sifahiye Medrese.
OTHER IMPORTANT SITES
In Sivas: Abdulvahabigazi Mausoleum, Semseddin Sivasi Mausoleum, Meydan Mosque, Aliaga Mosque, Kursunlu Bath, Egri Bridge, Kesik Bridge, Yildiz Bridge, Bogaz Bridge, Seyh Coban Mausoleum, Kadi Burhanettin Mausoleum, Behrampasa Inn, Tashan, Subasi Inn, Corapci Inn, Goverment Building, Congress Building, Gendarme Buildings, Ziyabey Library.
In Kangal: Alacahan Inn
In Zara: Seyh Merzuban Mausoleum, Carsi Mosque
In Yildizeli: Kemankes Kara Mustafa Pasa Mosque and Bath in the Village of Seyh Halil, Seyh Halil Mausoleum
In Gemerek: Carsi Mosque, Yenicubuk Bridge
In Divrigi: Sitte Melik Mausoleum, Kameraddin Mausoleum, Nureddin Salih Mausoleum, Ahi Yusuf Mausoleum, Burma Han Carvanserai, Mircinge Inn. (Click for detailed information For Divrigi)
RESTING AREAS
The Kardesler Forest: The kardesler forest is 7 km. distance to the of center of the city, which belongs to the government of Sivas is a beautiful resting area and excursion spot .
Castle Park: In the center of Sivas is this Park ot trees and flowers where the old castle once stood. There is a tea garden and ocafealso.
Belediye Park (Ethembey): A little outside the city this park has a children’s playground a tea garden and cafe are available too.
Pasabahce Fabrikasi (Pasa Fabrikasi): There are caves waterfalls and historical ruins ill this park 7 km. from Sivas Picnic areas a tea garden and a cafe are available too.
Plate Egricimen: Plate Egricimen is a very nice resting place covered with pine forests. It is 20 km. far away from the town Koyulhisar. The place is convenient for mountain tourism.
Sizir Waterfall: It is 1 km. far away from the town Sizir. It is on the Goksu stream. The tea garden is the most visited places.
Lake Hafik: 39 km. from Sivas, 2 km. from Hafik. This is a delightful spot for a picnic boating on the lake or fishing.
Lake Todurge (Zara): 50 km. from Sivas on Erzurum road. Picnicking, boating and fishing in beautiful surroundings are possible. There is a cafe on the shores of the, lake.
Lake Gokpinar ( Gurun ): 147 km. from Sivas 10 km. from Gurun. This is a relaxing spot to picnic on the crystal clear waters in natural surroundings. A trout fishery is located here. Day visits are advised since there Cafe no overnight facilities.
SIVAS SPECIALTIES
The fame of Sivas kilims and carpets, that take their designs from the rich tradition of folklore, has spread beyond the borders of the province. They are famed for their original color and designs, high quality and good workmanship. The rich color and, highly decorated folklore dress of the province is especially reflected in the “halay” dance of both men and women that is original to the region.
SIVAS SOUVENIRS
The local gifts to purchase woven or knitted hand bags and socks, decorated cigarette holders and pens are among the favorite with the tourists. Decorative items in silver and bone combs and knife handles are of high quality in Sivas.
GOURME & REGIONAL FOODS
Sivas is particularly famous for one of the best restaurants in town having many branches named Niyazibey Restaurant throughout Turkey. One of the best dishes is Alexander Kebab cooked by traditionally in the wooden stove. Also we strongly advise you to get the taste of the “curtain pilaf” that is completely cultural and regional by itself reflecting the regional traditions. Listen to the story of the meal from the master cook. Also try delicious buttermilk that’s also called yogurt juice next to it. Desserts are as usual, but amongst these we advise you to taste “kuenefe” which might be heavy for your tummy.