Tokat
From Turkey Travel Guide
Tokat is a city in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
Contents |
[edit] History
While it lacks some of the visible monuments of its neighbor, Amasya, Tokat has a colorful history stretching back for the last 5000 years. The city was ruled by the Hittites, the Phrygians, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Sejuk Turks, among others. It grew to become the 6th largest city and a trading center under the Selcuks, a fact testified to by the many old bridges and caravanserais in the area.
After a period of instability under the Mongols and the warlords that followed, the town regained its status as a prominent trading center under the Ottoman Empire. It also blossomed as a copper mining and agricultural center. Although most of its non-ethnically Turkish population was deported after the first world war, it retains a visible but small Jewish community.
[edit]
The city centers around Gaziosmanpasa Bulvari, going north to south. The fortress is to the west, and past the north to south running canal to the east are the old Ottoman-style wooden houses.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
The nearest airport is in Kayseri.
[edit] By train
The train can be used for the bulk of the trip if one travels to Kayseri or Sivas, and then continues on by bus.
[edit] By car
Tokat is well connected on the D180 and D850 highways.
[edit] By bus
Tokat has fairly frequent connections with major cities. The local bus company is Tokat Seyahat.
From Ankara there are buses every 1-2 hours during the day. The trip is about 7 hours and costs around 25 lira.
From Istanbul there are a few buses a day. The trip costs about 60 lira and lasts 12 hours.
There are frequent buses to neighboring Amasya and Sivas, both costing about 10 lira and lasting 2 hours.
From Kayseri there are a few daily buses costing about 25 lira and lasting around 5 hours.
[edit] By boat
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
There isn't much need for a car, except for the surrounding towns, like Niksar, Zile, Ballica Cave, and Sulusaray.
[edit] By public transport
There are dolmuses to and from the bus station, and a taxi could take a visitor most of the way up to the fortress. Otherwise there's not much need for public transport.
[edit] By foot
The city is small and easily explored on foot.
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
(°F)
(43)
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(55)
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(80)
(69)
(55)
(46)
(°F)
(29)
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(36)
(44)
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(60)
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(54)
(46)
(38)
(32)
(inches)
(1.6)
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(1.5)
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(0.7)
(1.8)
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(1.7)
[edit] See
[edit] Gök Medrese
admission 1.50 lira open 8:30-12 and 13-17 Tues-Sun In this Sky Medrese there are exhibits of artefacts from as far back as the Stone and Bronze Ages, relics from churches, and tools and weapons. In an ethnographic section there are costumes, exhibits about calligraphy, and a display on yazma stamp art. In the courtyard, the remaining turquoise tiles give an idea of how it must have looked when it earned its name. At the back of the north side is the tomb of 40 maidens, which is in fact 20 tombs which probably don't contain maidens. It is located on the main Gaziosmanpasa Bulvari.
[edit] Tas Han
South of the Gök Medrese is this Ottoman era caravanserai, surrounded by bazaar streets.
[edit] Tokat Fortress
The fortress the city centered around is quite a hike, and has been partially rebuilt with a strange cement construction.
[edit] Saat Kulesi
At the north of the city is a clock tower from the early 1900s. Note the Arabic numbers on the face.
[edit] Historic Houses
East of the canal on Bey Sokagi there are old Ottoman wooden houses.
[edit] Melehane Museum
The former dervish lodge now houses a museum about it. The guards are knowledgeable about the exhibits and usually happy to talk about them if prompted.
[edit] Do
Tokat is known throughout Turkey for its hamams. The Tarihi Ali Pasa Hamam is a historical choice, charging about 15 lira entrance and 10 lira for a bath from an attendant.
Visit a yazma factory to see this traditional stamp art being done.
[edit] Eat
There are plentiful cafes and kebab shops along the streets, so finding a cheap place to eat is not difficult.
Akman Pastanesi is a pleasant bakery with a variety of pastries on the northern end of Gazi Osman Pasa Bulvari.
Yesil Köse Et Lokantasi has a family room upstairs with a great view of the Cumhuriyet Alani. It offers a variety of dishes, including vegetarian ones at reasonable prices.
Tokat is known for its kebab with lamb, potato, and eggplant, that then has roasted tomatoes and peppers added to it.
[edit] Drink
Alcohol is available in some restaurants, but it is not common in this area.
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Temar Turistik Otel is on the main square and offers well worn but clean and quiet rooms for 15-25 lira for 1-2 people.
[edit] Mid-Range
Yeni Çinar Hotel, near the main square, has bright rooms with views of the hills for 40-60 lira for 1-2 people.
[edit] Upscale
Büyük Tokat Oteli is distant from the old town (3 km) and while it may not live up to its four stars, it has an excellent buffet and modern, sound proof rooms.
[edit] Work
Still a largely agricultural economy, there are some language school that might be interested in native speaker teachers.
[edit] Learn
Tokat is home to Gazi Osman Pasa University. http://www.gop.edu.tr/
[edit] Keep connected
[edit] Internet
There is an internet cafe south of Tas Han on Gazi Osman Pasa Bulvari.
[edit] Phone
A metered telephone is just south of the clock tower.
[edit] Post
The post office is west of Cumhuriyet Alani, across from the Vilayet, provincial government
[edit] Safety
Some advise women not to visit the fortress alone, but it is frequented by locals, particularly on the weekend.
[edit] Stay Healthy
A hospital is on the northern end of Gaziosmanpasa Bulvari.
[edit] External links
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