Things to Know About Cankiri
Çankırı, located in the Paphlagonia Region, has a rich history dating back to the Paleolithic Period. The city was known as Gangra in ancient times and was referred to as such by both natives and non-natives.
Recent archaeological excavations in Çankırı have unearthed numerous artifacts, dating back to 600,000 BCE, which provide a glimpse into the city’s fascinating history. Located just an hour and a half away from Ankara, Çankırı offers ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts to engage in outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, photography, and hunting. The city’s snow-capped mountains make it an ideal location for winter sports activities.
The city’s natural beauty is breathtaking, with lush forests and thermal springs. Many poets have immortalized the city’s natural splendor in verse throughout the centuries. Additionally, the city is home to Tuz Cave, which houses historical artifacts dating back to the Hittites, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. The city’s warm-hearted people offer traditional hospitality, making it an excellent destination for those seeking cultural experiences.
Places to Visit in Cankiri
Cankiri Museum
The Çankırı Museum, which opened its doors to visitors in 1972, is a significant archaeological exhibition area in Anatolia. It displays relics of various civilizations that inhabited the region throughout history, from Neolithic and Chalcolithic to Old Bronze, Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.
The museum showcases a diverse range of exhibits from ancient civilizations, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore different periods of local history that span from around 6000 BC to modern times. The museum features both archaeological and ethnographic exhibits in the same location.
In the archeology section, visitors can view artifacts from the Old Bronze, Hittite, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. The exhibits include pottery, bones used for funerary purposes, bronze tools for religious ceremonies, and personal beauty accessories like beads and mirrors.
The ethnography section of the museum displays weavings, handicrafts, calligraphy art samples, print molds, clothing, and other objects related to life in the Çankırı area.
The museum’s exhibition hall also houses a historical oxcart that was used during the Independence War era. In addition, the glass section of the exhibit hall displays glass works that date back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. The sidewalk outside the building showcases stone sculptures, grave steles, mile stones, architectural parts, and inscriptions.
Cemaleddin Ferruh Darülhadisi (Taş Mosque)
The Cemaleddin Ferruh Darülhadisi Mosque in Çankırı is considered the most significant structure from the Seljuk Period. The mosque and hospital were constructed in 1235 by Çankırı Atabeyi (Governor) Cemalettin Ferruh during the reign of the Anatolian Seljuk Ruler, Alaeddin Keykubat I. Unfortunately, the hospital, which was built with rubble stone, was destroyed over time.
In 1242, Cemalettin Ferruh had both a mosque and Dâr-ûl Hadis (a school for the study of Hadiths) built. The mosque is known locally as Taş Mescit for its unique architecture, as well as two remarkable pieces of stone artwork. The first is a “Medical Symbol,” featuring two entwined snakes, which can be seen as a figurative stone work on the mosque, and as a sculpture in the Çankırı Museum. The second piece, also exhibited in the museum, depicts a snake figure entwined in a cup, which is used as a “Pharmacy Symbol” today.
The structure also contains a mausoleum with two burial chambers. The north façade burial chamber houses a sarcophagus, while the two-section room on the east façade contains five cists. It is believed that mummified corpses known as cadis were used during this time period, with one of these coffins thought to belong to Cemalettin Ferruh himself, the founder of the work. His coffin was placed above what many consider the main area or the central chamber.
The building still serves as a mosque and was used as a Mevlevihane (a house for practicing Sufism) for many years until the establishment of the Republic.
Ilgaz Mountain National Park
Ilgaz Mountain is a natural paradise located in the Cankiri and Kastamonu provinces of Turkey, offering breathtaking scenery and a peaceful getaway for nature enthusiasts.
In 1976, Ilgaz Mountain was declared a national park, covering an area of 1118 hectares. The northern slopes of the park are densely forested and dominated by coniferous trees, earning it the nickname “the sea of trees”. The diverse topography of the area is the result of geological formations, with larch, juniper, black pine, pine, and fir trees dotting much of the mountain. The region boasts a high annual rainfall, supporting a variety of wildlife such as wild boars, roe deer, wolves, bears, and foxes.
Ilgaz Mountain is quickly becoming a popular winter sports destination, as it has the closest facilities to Ankara. The mountain offers three ski runs, measuring 750, 1000, and 1500 meters in length, as well as two lifts with a capacity of 700 skiers per hour. The snowy terrain, with depths of up to 3 meters, makes it a prime location for skiing during the winter months.
During the summer, thousands of people flock to Ilgaz Mountain to escape the bustle of city life. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including trekking, hiking, climbing, and horseback riding, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking adventure and relaxation.
Salt Cave
If you’re visiting Cankiri, the Salt Cave is definitely worth a visit. It’s located about 20 kilometers east of the city, and when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by one of the world’s largest rifts.
The Salt Cave is Turkey’s largest rock salt reserve and has been used since ancient times, even by the Hittites. There are 36 ancient bronze age settlements around the cave, 26 of which have been registered. You can explore large galleries where salt was extracted using heel systems for salt production.
This incredible cave has huge potential for alternative tourism opportunities and should be recognized as a World Health Tourism site. The temperature inside the cave remains a constant 15 degrees, making it a great place to escape the heat on hot summer days.
One section of the cave has been turned into an exhibit area, where you can see works of art created by local students using salt rocks and old railroad equipment. One of the most fascinating exhibits is an aged donkey that naturally underwent an embalming process and fell into the well about 250 years ago. Recently, a wild rabbit has been added to the exhibit to accompany him.
Overall, the Salt Cave is a unique and intriguing destination that offers visitors a glimpse into Turkey’s rich history and natural wonders.