Zile, town and a district of Tokat Province, Turkey
Zile is a small town in Tokat Province situated on a hill overlooking farmland and surrounded by vineyards. The town features narrow streets lined with stone and wooden houses, a castle at its center, and scattered old fountains that still carry water in places, along with archaeological remains like Roman theatre ruins and rock-cut tombs.
Known in ancient times as Zela, this town was according to legend founded by Assyrian Queen Semiramis and later became part of the Persian Royal Road connecting different parts of the empire. Julius Caesar defeated a local ruler here in 47 BC, and the city changed hands between Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, with the castle's thick walls remaining from Roman and Byzantine periods.
Handicrafts remain part of daily life in this town, where artisans create saddles, rugs, and metal tools using traditional methods passed down through generations. Families gather to prepare local dishes like Zile Bat, and on weekends they visit their vineyards to relax and enjoy music together, keeping these customs alive.
Walking is the best way to explore the town as it is small enough to reach all sites on foot comfortably. Summer temperatures can become very hot, so it is better to walk early in the morning or late afternoon, and in winter bring warm clothing as snow is possible.
A memorable landmark is what locals call the Sparrow Palace, an old stone building where flocks of sparrows nest during winter months. Residents use this curious name as a playful way to test if visitors truly know the town, making it an inside joke that gives the place character.
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