Sivas

Sivas is a historic city in central Turkey and the capital of Sivas Province, set on the Kızılırmak River at around 1,280 metres above sea level. It is best known for its Seljuk-era monuments, its role in the founding of the Turkish Republic and a calm, highland Anatolian character that differs sharply from Turkey's coastal cities.

The city's heritage is concentrated around its historic centre, where the 13th-century Gök Madrasa, Şifaiye Madrasa and Çifte Minareli Madrasa display finely carved Seljuk stonework. The Atatürk Congress and Ethnography Museum preserves the building where the 1919 Sivas Congress was held, a turning point in Turkey's national movement.

Beyond the centre, the UNESCO-listed Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital is one of Anatolia's most remarkable medieval monuments, while the Eğri Bridge, Sivas Castle and the old bazaar area reflect the city's long history as a trade and administrative hub. Neighbourhoods around Hükümet Square concentrate landmarks, shops, restaurants and cafés within easy walking distance.

Sivas is also a regional centre for agriculture, industry and education, home to Sivas Cumhuriyet University. Its thermal springs around Balıklı Kaplıca, the Kangal fish spring and the famous Kangal shepherd dog give the province a distinctive local identity beyond the city itself.

For travellers, Sivas offers a quieter, historically rich alternative to Turkey's coastal resorts, combining Seljuk architecture, republican history, local cuisine and nearby thermal and natural attractions suited to both culture-focused visitors and business trips.