Discover Erbaa: Archaeology and Urban History

Erbaa offers a cultural and historical perspective spanning archaeological sites, preserved buildings, and museum exhibits. Nearby destinations also feature, although they are not within the city limits. Those planning a trip to Erbaa can explore urban history, archaeology, and landscape as distinct themes.

Horoztepe and its historical periods

The archaeological site of Horoztepe lies east of the modern city of Erbaa. It is an ancient cemetery from the Early Bronze Age. Characteristic objects from the Chalcolithic period, as well as from the Hittite and Phrygian periods, have also been found in the hills of Horoztepe. These represent different historical periods: the dating of the cemetery should be distinguished from the periods to which the finds belong.

A gold and bronze figurine of a nursing woman comes from a tomb in Horoztepe dated to around 3000 BC. It is now on display at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. This find adds a specific object to the archaeological understanding of the site, though its current place of display is outside Erbaa.

Urban history at the Erbaa City Museum

The Erbaa City Museum welcomes visitors in a building on the town square that was built in 1946 as a government office. One important section of the museum is dedicated to professions that have disappeared or are at risk of disappearing, and evokes the old Erbaa bazaar. Alongside the building itself, the focus is also on these professions and life in the town in the past.

The museum also preserves visual materials intended to convey Erbaa’s historical depth and social heritage. Together with the section on the old bazaar, these offer an approach to the town’s history that is not limited to individual buildings. The museum welcomes visitors; its exhibits range from the building’s former use to depictions of social life.

Preserved buildings and nearby places

The bathhouse now known as Erek Hamamı is one of the few surviving buildings of old Erbaa. It lies about 150 meters northeast of Erbaa’s bus station. Its approximate distance and direction locate the historic building relative to this landmark.

Outside Erbaa, in the nearby village of Akça west of the city, stands the Silahtar-Ömer-Paşa Mosque. It is considered one of the best-preserved and richest examples of Anatolian wooden mosques. The Boğazkesen Bridge is also nearby, at the confluence of the Kelkit and Tozanlı rivers. Historically, it formed part of the route between Amasya and Niksar; this historical significance is distinct from using the town’s landmarks for directions today.

Landscapes nearby

Lake Düden lies near Kızılotluk, along the road from Erbaa to Gökal. It is outside the municipality of Erbaa, within the municipality of Gökal, and is surrounded by pine, beech, and oak forests as a recreation area. It is therefore a landscape attraction in the surrounding area, not a place within the municipality of Erbaa.

Kilise Suyu spring lies one kilometer from the village of Çamdibi and is covered by a domed structure. It is associated with a spring sanctuary that may be Roman. This association is conjectural; the spring itself and its architectural covering are separate, concrete features.

Sports facilities at Vadi Park

The sports complex at Vadi Park offers a different side of Erbaa. It has one indoor and three outdoor tennis courts, as well as basketball and volleyball courts. While Horoztepe, the museum, and the historic buildings are cultural and historical highlights, this is where sports facilities take center stage. If you have a particular sporting activity in mind, check in advance whether the facilities are currently available for use.

Discover more destinations: Turhal, Güdüklü Köyü, Gündoğan, Tokat, Ayvali, Pınarlı Köyü, Haydarbey, Niksar

Go to the main travel overview: Tokat.