The clock tower in BayburtThe history of the city dates as far back as 3000 BC. It’s also known that it was founded by the Azzi tribe than Cimmerians passed thru in the 8th century BC. Medians and Persians were other invaders and settlers of the region. In the 2nd century, BC Bayburt was annexed to the Pontian Kingdom and then to the Roman Empire who restored Bayburt Castle which was originally built by Urartus. Between the 8th and 9th centuries it constantly changed hands between Emevis and Byzantines, and then finally Seljuks and Ottomans.
The city welcomes you with the remains of its Byzantine Castle. There are several interesting mosques, Turkish baths and tombstones in the city as well as the Çatalcesme Underground City which looks like the ones in Cappadocia, and the natural wonder Sirakayalar Waterfall which are all attractive. Some other sites of interest are Bent, Ali Singah, Meydan, Pashaogullari, Pulur baths, Bayburt Grand Mosque, Kutluk Bey, Pulur, Yukari Hinzevrek Mosques, Hart, Ksanta, Varzahan ruins, Korgan Bridge, Tashan, and Sehit Osman Mausoleums.
Bayburt | Photo by Ekrem Osmanoglu
Baksi Museum, founded by Husamettin Kocan and 160 contemporary artists, brings a high standard of art and design to an under-developed rural area of the Northern Anatolian province of Bayburt. The museum is awarded The Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2014.
The city is very small but deserves notice, although it has been designated as a province just recently in 1989, after being a district of Gümüshane for many years.
One of the most interesting sports here is the Jereed, or javelin. It’s an ancient war-game-like sport since the Turkic States and local people organize tournaments with other Eastern Anatolian cities during festivities and weddings.
Airport Name: Erzurum Airport
Address: Çiftlik, Erzurum Havaalanı Yolu, 25050 Yakutiye/Erzurum, Turkey
Code: TZX
Elevation: 1,757 m
Phone: +90 442 327 28 37
Serves: Erzincan and surrounding area
We highly recommend booking international and domestic flights with Turkish Airlines. Visit www.turkishairlines.com for prices and times.
If you wish to travel by bus or car please give the details of your journey so we can recommend a local transfer service. You must allow 3 days for us to make suggestions.
All companies we recommend are licensed by TURSAB. It is merely a recommendation we do not take any responsibilities for any of the services recommended on this website.
For areas to visit near Bayburt visit https://visit-turkey.org/destination/black-sea/