In the Silk Road system, which is considered to be a transport network consisting of many routes rather than a single line, it passes through China's Gansu region and the north of the agricultural basin, crossing the passages of the Pamir mountains, through Afghanistan to northern Iran, Syria and Anatolia, thus east The line reaching the Mediterranean shores has been one of the most important routes to Europe.

The caravans, which start from Rome, Genoa and Venice in Europe to Xian city of China in the far east and move on this 12,000 km long trade line, are only the harshest terrains of the world, enormous deserts, endless steppes, great streams, inland. Not only did they overcome physical difficulties such as the seas and towering mountains, but they also had to deal with bandits, unfriendly rulers, natural disasters and diseases.

These roads, which started to take shape in Anatolia since the early ages, were united in the capital Hattusha during the Hittites period (1800-1200 BC), one of the greatest civilizations that ruled in Anatolia. The Seljuk state's choice of Konya as its administrative center created the ground for the road network to begin to knot again in Anatolia, just as it was in the Hittite period.

Today, the Silk Road is not only a source of inspiration for the planning and realization of new transportation lines, but also as a mysterious historical concept, it is the subject of novels and movies, and the thousands of kilometers of road that commercial concerns and obligations have revealed in the past, is one of the preferred points of tourists trying to capture the mystery of the past. . Therefore, it seems that the indispensable of the past for trade has become an indispensable part of today's tourism sector. The Anatolian peninsula is also trying to get its share from this transformation, and some of the transportation balances that emerged from the basic needs of the past, such as many ports, port cities, trade cities, road networks, caravanserais and bridges, continue to add value to the Anatolian lands as the most important touristic elements of today.

(From a geographical perspective, Anatolia's Historical Transport Network and Silk Road

Muzaffer BAKIRCI-TC Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Directorate (Turkish ‹nternational Cooperation and Coordination Agency)

As stated in the article we have quoted, the indispensable for trade of the past, today's touristic values ​​on the Silk Road of Anatolia have become indispensable for tourism.

The East always bears a great tourism potential with its mysticism, difficult geographical conditions, height, plateaus and plateaus, with its historical, commercial, political and cultural traces.

With the tourism investments envisaged by our state, the region has begun to come to its touristic deserved place with the maintenance, restoration and arrangements of historical, commercial and cultural elements of the cities on the historical Silk Road, and more importantly, with the revitalization of transportation (Eastern Express).

Although our provinces of Van, Bitlis, Elazığ and Malatya are located within the borders of our Eastern Anatolia region and have an important touristic potential, Silk Road Route is not included in this route that we work as Eastern Anatolia. I am thinking of processing Van, Bitlis, Elazığ and Malatya on another route.

Likewise, although Kars is located in the Eastern Anatolia region, it is not included in our route.

In a separate title, it can be processed in Kars, Ardahan, Şavşat group.

Although it is located in the Central Anatolia region, I included Sivas on this route because it is a historical commercial and cultural center after Erzurum and Erzincan.

Let's start with Iğdır if you wish.

Iğdır makes an important contribution to cultural tourism. Ram-headed tombs, for example, ram-headed graves found in all old cemeteries in the Iğdır plain, are from the Karakoyunlu period, which left a permanent mark of civilization in Iğdır. According to the Karakoyunlu, these gravestones were erected on the graves of brave and heroic people and young people who died at a young age. This tradition came from the Karakoyunlu Central Asian Turkish Culture. They are dispersed in Iğdır villages but are under protection.

Being on the border with Armenia, it is a geography where tragic events are also experienced. These documents are exhibited in the Monument Museum.

In addition, salt caves known to have been used since the Hittite period also have an interesting appearance.

Our city, which is known all over the world with Mount Ararat, is the center of attention of local and foreign tourists in Ağrı.

Mount Ararat is a mountain with a legendary feature due to its geological location and hosting Noah's Ark after the Great Flood. It is also known as Ararat, Kuh-i Nuh, Gli Dağ, Cebel ül Hari.

Of course, the star of Ağrı is İshak Pasha Palace, but it is also a center of attraction with Noah's Ark (a trail or silhouette formed on the place where Noah's ark is said to be stranded), Ahmede Xani Tomb, Diyadin Canyon and hot springs.

Due to the distance between the places to visit Ağrı, it is necessary to allocate 2 full days.

We come to Erzurum from Ağrı. Erzurum city center with Yakutiye Madrasah, Double Minaret Madrasa, Üç Kumbetler, Taşhan built by Rüstem Pasha, the Congress building where the unforgettable days of the War of Independence took place and the Aziziye bastion where the Nene Hatun Epic was written, and of course the Grand Mosque and castle in the city center preserves its historical silhouette. our a city.

Although Palandöken Mountain is known for winter tourism in terms of tourism, it is also an attraction area in summer with its cable car running to Ejder Hill at an altitude of 3,200 meters.

Since it is the Anatolian entrance gate of the historical Silk Road, our serhat city, which has hosted many civilizations throughout history, has changed hands many times, and we had a red line in the Eastern Anatolia region during the Ottoman period. As we all know, the backbone of our National Struggle, Erzurum Congress was held here. It has the easiness of the route as it provides the opportunity to explore the works of Seljuk, İlhanlı, Saltuklu, Ottoman and Republic periods all together in a 1-hour walk.

Our province of Erzincan is also an ancient city that has been inhabited since the Hittite period. In recent years, it has developed a diverse tourism potential with its natural, historical and cultural elements.

Located on the Erzurum Erzincan road, Tercan is the star of the city, along with its mausoleum and complex Caravanserai, which belong to the Princess Mama Hatun of the Saltuklu Principality.

While Sultan Melik Tomb in Kemah, Terzi Baba Tomb in Center, Urartu period mound Altıntepe attracts tourists with their historical richness, Kemaliye Dark Canyon and Girlevik waterfall enliven the region's tourism with their natural riches.

Due to the scattered natural historical and cultural richness of Erzincan, it is necessary to allocate a little more time in terms of the route due to the high amount of time spent on the road.

Our city of Sivas, known worldwide for its poets, lovers, Kangal shepherd dogs, also known as the Sebasteia Silk Road is the last stop of our Eastern Anatolia route.

Like Erzurum, it has hosted dozens of civilizations from Hittites to Persians, Romans, Seljuks to Ottomans and carries the traces of these civilizations. The Sivas Congress, which is an important stopping point of our Independence Struggle, took place here.

Dozens of Khans that survive in the city center bear witness to the development of commerce throughout history.

Again, due to the Seljuk period artifacts such as the Double Minaret Madrasa, Buruciye Madrasah and Şifahane, which are located in the city center, this area is called Selçuklu Park, and it offers a magnificently rich inner city tour route with its Gök Madrasa in the city center, its castle and Ulu Mosque.

For Divriği Hospital and Ulu Mosque, one of the first works from our country to be included in the permanent world heritage list by Unesco, it is 150 km from the city center. It is necessary to pass to Divrigi, which is located away. At the exit of Erzincan, passing through Refahiye, visiting Divriği and then going to Sivas will prevent you from going back and forth.

The best starting point for our route is Ağrı Airport and the final is Sivas Airport. Or, on the contrary, it can be started in Sivas and finished in Ağrı.

Or you can come to Erzurum by train and then return by plane after completing the route in Ağrı with a road connection.

The highway distance between Ağrı and Sivas is 642 km. With museums and extra visits that can be added to our list

The fastest 1 week is completed in 10 days with a slightly more comfortable program.

I recommend spring and summer months for the convenience of your travel and optimum use of the days.