Erzurum

Erzurum is a large city in eastern Anatolia in Turkey, sitting on a high plateau at 1,900 meters (6,230 feet) elevation. Wide avenues cross the city and connect historical neighborhoods with modern university buildings and residential districts.

The Romans founded this city as Theodosiopolis and used it as a key military fortress during clashes between Byzantine and Persian forces. Later it became part of the Ottoman Empire and has remained a major center in the region until today.

The theological school and the grand mosque from 1179 show the building style of the Seljuk period in the city center. Both structures stand close to each other and are still visited by worshippers who come here for prayer and reflection today.

The ski areas on Palandöken Mountain and the winter sports center offer recreational options during the long cold season. Most visitors reach the city by plane or bus from other parts of the country.

A congress of national representatives took place here in 1919 and made the city the birthplace of the Turkish independence movement under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This moment shaped the political development of the entire country in the years that followed.

Location: Erzurum Province

Elevation above the sea: 1,900 m

Website: http://erzurum.bel.tr

GPS coordinates: 39.90632,41.27277

Latest update: December 15, 2025 01:05