Sivas Tourist Attractions
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Northeastern central AnatoliaSituation and ImportanceDespite the existence of several interesting old buildings, Sivas is not an attractive town, having suffered badly from rebuilding work.
Çifte Minareli Medrese
The remains of the Çifte Minareli Medrese (1271) on Konak Meydani in the town center of Sivas are of architectural interest. It is named after the twin minarets ("çift", double). Only the front of the building with its decorative portal and the two minarets remain. The foundations are visible behind the portal in the park.
Egri Köprü
At the southern end of Sivas, by the junction of the road to Kangal and Darende, an old dog-leg bridge ("egri", buckled) with eighteen arches crosses the Kizilirmak.
Gök Medrese
Directly below and to the east of the citadel in Sivas lies Gök Medrese with its famous doorway. This former theological school (now closed for renovation work) was endowed by the Vizier Sahip Ata (Fahreddin Ali Ben Hussein) in 1272. It was designed by the Greek architect Koloyan from Konya. With its distinctive Turkish blue tiles it is known as the Blue Medrese.The rectangular portal area with its stalactiform entrance niche and ornamental border is dominated by two minarets which display some characteristic Seljuk features: deep relief palmettes, starred and scripted decorations, channeled shafts and pedestals decorated with stalactiform patterns. At the corners of the entrance wall stand round columns with honeycomb motifs.The inner courtyard is surrounded on three sides by a two-story building with cells for the scholars. There is an eyvan (lecture hall) with barrel vaulting on both side walls and on the rear wall.
Güdük Minare
To the east of the Atatürk Caddesi in Sivas behind the Meydan Camii stands a tomb to Sheik Hassan (1347) which looks like a cropped minaret (Güdük Minare). This unusually shaped building with a tiled upper section which changes from a triangular to a cylindrical form is built on a stone plinth.
Kale Tepesi
To the east of the station in Sivas rises the citadel hill on which a two-tiered castle once stood. The hill is now laid out with an attractive garden which offers a fine view over the town. The Castle Mosque (Kale Camii) from Ottoman times is also situated here.
Mehmet Pasa Camii
The domed Ottoman mosque commissioned by Mehmet Pasa (ca. 1580) dominates the park near Konak Meydani in Sivas.
Muzafer Bürüciye Medresesi
The Muzafer Bürüciye Medresesi located a short distance from the Çifte Minareli Medrese in Sivas and to the northeast of the small park by Konak Meydani has recently become a museum. Built by the Mongol Muzafer in 1271, the interior conceals another mosque and the founder's mausoleum. The magnificent Seljuk facade is particularly impressive.
Sifaiye Medresesi
Directly opposite the Çifte Minareli Medrese in Sivas stands the Sifaiye Medresesi complex (Dar üs-Sifa), initially endowed as a hospital by the Seljuk Izettin Kaikavus I in 1217. The facade is decorated with a glazed earthenware mosaic. The founder's türbe can be found in the right eyvan of the courtyard.
Tas Hans
At the junction of Atatürk Caddesi and Nalbantlar Basi Caddesi in Sivas, the remains of the old bazaar can be seen. Behind a small textile and leather bazaar stands the Ottoman Tas Hani caravanserai which was built by the town's governor in 1573.
Ulu Cami
The Grand Mosque in Sivas is situated to the south of the Sifaiye Medresesi northeast of the citadel hill. The plain pillared mosque is thought to date from about 1100. A staircase leads down to the extensive forecourt. The flat roof of the prayer room is borne by 50 squat, rectangular pillars which create an awe-inspiring impression. The slightly crooked minaret dates from the 13th century.
Map of Sivas Attractions
Map - Sivas
