Erzurum / Turkey

Due to its location on the Silk Route the city enjoyed an important place at all times throughout the history. In the Scythian/Khatti language the name of the city is Arzana, meaning "the woodland of the mother goddess". Artifacts uncovered in various tumuli, primarily the Tumulus of Karaz, testify to the history of the area which dates as far back as 3000s B.c. The city wasfounded on the Castle of Erzurum the flourishing trade it later expanded onto the slope of the castle and the level plain. The area was inhabited by Romans in 395 A.D. followed by Seljuks in 1048. It served as the setting of the congress held on july 23, 1919 where the resolution on the War of Independence was adopted by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The Castle of Erzurum, kumbets (mausoleums) dating from the era of Saltukogullari and Ulu Cami towering up on 40 columns and built in 1179, are of the prominent works of art. The Hatuniye Medrese, also called Cifte Minare (Twin Minarets), built in 1253, is located near Ulu Cami. The courtyard in the centre of the medrese with two minarets, 26 m high, decorated with tiles is encircled by 38 rooms around. Mount Palandoken, at an altitude of 317 m, serves to winter tourism.

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