Uzundere, District in Erzurum Province, Turkey
Uzundere is a district in Erzurum Province, in eastern Turkey, made up of a number of small settlements scattered across a long valley. The terrain is hilly and the population is spread out, giving the area an open, rural feel.
Uzundere was established as a district during the administrative reforms of the modern Turkish state, which reorganized provincial boundaries across the country. Before those reforms, this area had been part of larger and less clearly defined territorial units.
The Oshki Monastery, built in the 10th century, is one of the most complete Georgian Orthodox structures in the region. Visitors can walk close to the carved stone reliefs that decorate its outer walls and get a sense of how skilled the medieval builders were.
The months outside of winter are the best time to visit, as mountain roads into the valley are more easily passable. Visitors planning to see the Oshki Monastery should allow extra time, since it sits off the main roads and requires some effort to reach.
The name Uzundere means 'long valley' in Turkish, a direct description of the shape of the land the settlements sit in. This habit of naming places after their geography is common across eastern Turkey and often tells you more about a location than any map would.
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