Üzümlü Between History and Landscape

When looking for a hotel in Üzümlü, you can choose your destination based on what you want to focus on during your stay: local history, landscape or cuisine. The town center is clustered around the Cimin stream. As a general guide to the road network, the town lies approximately 5 km north of the E-80 highway. The following sections distinguish between historical sites, picnic areas and culinary highlights.

Picnic Areas and Landscape

Çaho’nun Gölü is within the boundaries of Üzümlü town center and is one of its main picnic areas. From there, you can enjoy views of the Erzincan Plain. Çamlık is also one of the main picnic areas within the town center; its landscape is characterized by natural vegetation and cold spring water. Dereboğazı is another important picnic area in the town center, notable for its natural landscape. The three places each offer something different: at Çaho’nun Gölü, the focus is on views across the plain; at Çamlık, on vegetation and spring water; and at Dereboğazı, on the natural landscape. If you include scenery in your travel plans, you can compare these features according to what interests you most.

Archaeology and Architectural History

East of the town center, Şeyh Karpuz Mağarası is located to the left of a path leading to Köy Tepesi. There are two rock tombs with sarcophagi there. Its location in relation to the town center and the path helps distinguish this archaeological site from the buildings in the center.

The Akkoyunlu Mosque is located in the town center. According to its inscription, it was built in 1301 by İncili oğlu Emir Say. After severe earthquakes, which particularly affected the Erzincan Basin, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt in 1965 as part of a restoration. The minaret was built in 1997 and is made of carefully worked ashlar stones. The şerefe (balcony) features diamond, rose and carnation motifs in traditional Turkish-Islamic stone ornamentation. The dates mark different stages in the building’s history: its construction as stated in the inscription, its rebuilding after its destruction, and the later addition of the minaret. Together with the rock tombs, these sites offer a cultural and historical perspective that encompasses both archaeological remains and the development of a building.

Cimin Üzümü and Üzümlü Cuisine

Local produce and dishes also give Üzümlü its own culinary identity. Cimin Üzümü has a characteristically tart taste and an almost zero sugar content. The grape is recognizable by its distinctive bloom and very thin skin; the berry melts in your mouth. Babikko is a dish from Üzümlü cuisine: baked bread is filled with garlic yogurt, butter and Pul Biber. The grape and the dish represent different aspects of local cuisine—one a product with a distinctive taste and mouthfeel, the other a preparation made with clearly specified ingredients. If, when choosing your destination, you take culinary specialties into account alongside the landscape and architectural history, these two examples offer concrete points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Refahiye, Erzurum, Çilesiz Köyü, Akarsu, Erzincan, Cevizlik Köyü, Kavaklık Köyü.

Return to the main travel overview: Erzincan.