The beautiful town of Amasya stretches along the rocky Yesihrmak (Green River) valley, overlooked by an ancient fortress and the peaks of the Pontic Mountains. There are historic, picturesque Ottoman houses right on the river. Amasya is a place full of tombs, beautiful architecture, and a wonderful landscape, both natural and man-made. By staying in this place, we literally go back in time. The northern side of Amasya is mainly the route leading from Tokatu and Corum towards Erzurum and Erzincan. This is where the ancient part of the city is located. The South Side is a different face of the town, more modern, with shops, banks, concrete roads and the heart of the entire city, the museum.
Some history
Amasya was inhabited by Cimmerians, Phrygians and Lindians, Persians and Armenians. This place has been called Hakimis for over 7,500 years. In the period 333 – 63 BC, it was under the rule of Alexander the Great, and you can still admire the towering tombs carved in the rocks from that time. It was here in Amasya that the first books and geographical maps were created by Strabo, a great traveler.
Sightseeing
Amasya Archeological Museum
- The museum has archaeological and ethnographic collections that tell the history of Amasya and its surroundings.
Tombs of the kings of Pontus
- Impressive rock-cut tombs of the kings, on the Yeşilırmak River by the kings of Pontus around the 4th century BC. They are one of the city’s main attractions.
Amasya Kalesi (Castle)
- Amasya Castle (Harşena Dağı and Kalesi): The castle sits on a cliff top just above the kings’ tombs and offers stunning views of the city.
İstasyon Bridge
- İstasyon Bridge is a historic bridge located over the Yeşilırmak River. It was also formerly called Meydan Bridge.
Ferhat and Şirin Lovers Museum
- The Ferhat and Şirin Lovers’ Museum is located on the Ferhat water canals, on the 3rd km of the Amasya-Tokat highway. The love stories of Ferhat and Şirin, Leyla and Mecnun, Kerem and Aslı, Romeo and Juliet, Mimar Sinan and Mihrimah Sultan, and the divine love of Mevlana and Hacı Bektaş Veli are presented there.
Farhad and Shirin Monument
- The Farhad and Shirin Monument is a monument on a rocky hill, dedicated to the story of the tragic romance between Farhad and Shirin.
Sultan Beyazıt Külliyesi
- Sultan Beyazit II Mosque and Kitchen Complex (külliye): Built in 1485, this magnificent mosque and surrounding complex is one of the finest examples of Osmal architecture preserved in the city.
Hazeranlar Mansion
- Hazeranlar Konağı: This is a historic house from the Ottoman period that now houses a museum with beautiful wood carvings and examples of traditional lifestyle.
Gök Medrese
- Gök Madrasa is one of the most important buildings where you can see Turkish architecture and decorative art. It is believed to have been built in 1271 by the vizier sahib Ata Fahreddin Ali. From the moment of its foundation, it served as a madrasa where religious sciences were studied, and in 1926 it was transformed into a museum.
Burmali Minare Camii
- Burlami Minare Camii is located on the southern bank of Yeşilırmak, near the old city center of Amasya. The name of the mosque, meaning “Mosque of the Spiral Minaret”, comes from the minaret’s shaft, which is carved into a spiral. The mosque was built during the reign of Seljuk Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Kaykhusraw II (r. 1237-1246/634-644 AH)
Mehmet Paşa Camii
- The Mehmet Paşa Camii is located in Amasya on the right bank of the Yeşilırmak, just downstream from the Bimarhane. An inscription above the main portal dates the building to 1486/891.
