Erzurum is a major city in Asian Turkey. Its climate is severe. It is located in a valley at 7000 feet sea level and is surrounded by mountains covered by snow most part of the year. The land is woodless but benign. Erzurum has a plenty of fountains with water of fabulous taste. Anyone can appreciate it using a tin dipper hanging near the fountain. During the Erzurum Congress held by Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) in 1923 the borders of the modern Turkey Republic were established.
Erzurum Principal Mosque, Ulu Cami, was built in 1179 and went through a reconstruction process 5 times. The central isle and the wall facing Mecca are the only remnants of the 12th centuries left.
One can make use of shoe polishers' services in the streets.
Iranian (Persian) motifs.
Behind the Cifte Minareli Medrese, or the teological college, stands the 13th century Hatuniye Turbesi, or mausoleum, that was built for Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat's daughter.
The building of Cifte Minareli Medresse represents a quadrangle with an open internal square that holds a small pond. There is a variety of small rooms inside. Later, Sultan Murad IV ordered to dislocate military barracks here due to a tense political situation in the country. The unique building was reconstructed in 1971 and has been protected by the state since then being the symbol of Erzurum.
The entrance is decorated with two identical minarets made of red and blue bricks.
The fortress faces the south where Cifte Minareli Medresse is located. Behind it just an empty space is left with stones scattered around.
The clock installed in the minaret built in the beginning of the 19th century was gifted by Queen Victoria.
The upper part of the tower is totally wooden.
Ammunition that had to be used in the event of war.
Climb the fortress and you will get a wonderful view of the ski resort. It will become obvious that Erzurum is surrounded by mountains.
Another small square in the south is decorated by three tombs, or Uc Kumbetler. The oldest tomb was built in the beginning of the 12th century. Its semi-oval windows were influenced by Georgian, Armenian and Turkic tendencies in architecture of the early period.
There is a football field nearby. The young football player was willing to participate in the photo session...
... as well as the old man.
Baiburt is a regular Turkish town located in the mountains.
Last time to enjoy the eternal snow fields before going to the coastal region of the Black Sea.
On the way to Trabzon there is a Greek Monastery in Sumela. Trout farmings will show you have not lost your way.
The man holds an unusual musical instrument.
The pictures were not that good due to fog.
During the Byzantine epoch Trabzon was surrounded by numerous monasteries. They were Christian fortresses in Islamic world. The Sumela Monastery was the biggest fortress and is in a good condition till now.
The Sumela Monastery was founded in 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I. According to a legend, all started with a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, the work of Saint Luke, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. After the death of Luke, the icon declared its desire to leave the place where it was kept and was brought to the cave in the mountains by angels. After that the icon was discovered by two hermits and inspired them to found the monastery.
The privileges held by the Monastery in the Byzantium epoch were later confirmed by Sultan Selim and other rules of the Ottoman empire.
The monastery contains a large amount of frescoes. Many of them are unique as they don't correspond to the canonic rules and unite orthodox and eastern motifs.
Archangel Gabriel.
Fresco of a solemn Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus.
Saints.
Back to Jerusalem and Meeting of the Lord.
To investigate the frescoes in detail more than a couple of hours will be needed.
Football match in Trabzon.
