Çankırı, District capital in Central Anatolia, Turkey.
Çankırı is a city in Central Anatolia spread across hillsides at about 730 meters elevation, surrounded by steppe grassland and mountains. The settlement is characterized by traditional stone buildings and the winding layout of its older quarters rising up the slopes.
The city was originally known as Gangra and once served as the capital of Paphlagonia before becoming part of Roman territories. It passed through the hands of several civilizations over the centuries, serving as an important point on ancient trade routes.
The Friday Mosque and its attached seminary have shaped the city center since 1522 with Ottoman design and craftsmanship. Both structures remain active gathering places where residents and visitors experience local religious and social traditions today.
The city is best explored on foot, especially through the hilly streets of the old quarters where visitors should allow time for the slopes. Early mornings offer the most comfortable conditions for walking and give the best sense of daily local life.
A natural cave holding Turkey's largest salt reserves lies about 20 kilometers outside the city, functioning as a rare geological feature. This underground salt deposit supplies the entire country and represents an unusual natural engineering wonder.
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