Kars, Provincial capital in northeastern Turkey.
Kars is a provincial capital in northeastern Turkey sitting on both sides of a river. The settlement spreads at roughly 1,770 meters (5,800 feet) elevation and is connected by an old stone bridge.
Control over the settlement shifted several times between Ottoman, Russian and Armenian forces until the early 20th century. In 1920, Turkish troops took final administration of the region.
Streets in the center carry names from Ottoman times while many buildings show Russian architecture. Locals visit the tea shops housed in former warehouses where you can see the mix of different building styles.
The settlement sits close to the Armenian border and is reachable by train from other Turkish towns. Winter months bring heavy snow while summer remains cool due to the elevation.
Local cheese production uses aging methods developed during long winter months. These techniques came from the need to store food over months of extreme temperatures.
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