Sivas essentials

Sivas serves as a hub of Seljuk and Ottoman heritage, centered around its historic City Square. This collection highlights the 13th-century architectural peak of the Seljuk Empire, including the intricate stone carvings of Gök Medrese and the twin minarets of Çifte Minareli Medrese. It also features the site of the 1919 Sivas Congress, a pivotal location in the formation of the Republic of Turkey, alongside the city's ancient citadel and archaeological treasures spanning from the Hittite era to the Ottoman period.

Sivas Essentials — Map

A

Sivas Kongresi ve Atatürk Anıtı

A monument commemorating the 1919 Sivas Congress and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, located in the heart of the city's historic district.

B

Buruciye Medresesi

Built in 1271 during the reign of Ghiyath al-Din Kaykhusraw III, this Seljuk-era structure features a classic four-iwan plan and was originally used for teaching physical sciences.

C

Gök Medrese

Commissioned in 1271, this Seljuk masterpiece is named for its sky-blue tiles. It features a monumental stone portal decorated with relief carvings and two towering minarets.

D

Çifte Minareli Medrese

Built in 1271 by the Ilkhanid vizier Sahip Ata, this theological school is distinguished by its massive stone facade and two brick minarets decorated with glazed tiles.

E

Şifaiye Medresesi

Established in 1217 by Sultan Kaykaus I, this served as one of the most important medical centers of the Seljuk era and contains the sultan's tomb.

F

Kongre Müzesi

Housed in the former school building where the 1919 Sivas Congress took place, this museum displays documents and artifacts related to the Turkish War of Independence.

G

Tarihi Kale Cami

An Ottoman-era mosque built in 1580 by Mahmud Pasha, featuring a single dome and classical stone masonry typical of the period.

H

Sivas Kalesi

Located on a central hill, this ancient citadel site offers panoramic views of Sivas and contains traces of fortifications from various historical periods.

I

Sivas Archaeology Museum

Displays a vast collection of regional artifacts, including Hittite tablets, Roman statuary, and Seljuk decorative arts found at nearby excavation sites.

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