View Larger Map
Tokat
Traditional houses of Tokat.
Tokat is located in Turkey
Tokat
Location of Tokat within Turkey.
Coordinates: 40°19′N 36°33′ECoordinates: 40°19′N 36°33′E
Country Turkey
Region Black Sea
Province Tokat
Government
Mayor Adnan Çiçek (AKP)
Area
Total 9,958 km2 (3,845 sq mi)
Elevation 623 m (2,044 ft)
Population (2009)
Total 129,879
Density 13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 60 xxx
Area code(s) 0356
Licence plate 60
Tokat is the capital city of Tokat Province of Turkey, at the mid Black Sea region of Anatolia. According to the 2009 census, the city of Tokat has a population of 129,879.
History
Tokat was established in the Hittite era. During the time of king Mithradates VI of Pontus, it was one of his many strongholds in Asia Minor.
After the Battle of Manzikert the town, like most of Asia Minor, came under the control of the Seljuq Turks. However, after the death of Sultan Suleiman ibn Qutulmish in 1086 the Emir Danishmend Gazi took control of the area, operating from his power base in the town of Sivas. It would be many decades before the Seljuks took control of that region, in the reign of Kilij Arslan II.
After the battle of Battle of Köse Dağ the Seljuks hold over the region was lost, and local Emirs such as the Eretna took power until the rise of the Ottomans.
Main sights
Façade of the Gök Medrese in Tokat, founded by the Pervâne in around 1270.
The most important landmark is the Ottoman Citadel, with 28 towers, founded on a rocky hill overlooking the town. Other sights include the Garipler Mosque dating to the 12th century and the Ali Paşa Mosque (16th century) and the Gök Medrese (Pervane Bey Darussifasi), which was constructed in 1270. It was founded as a school of theology, and is now converted into a museum, housing archaeological finds from the area.
The Latifoglu Konak, a late 18th century Ottoman residence, is an example Baroque architecture. The two-story building has been restored and converted into a small museum. Much of the furniture in the kitchen, study, visitors' rooms with bath and toilet, bedroom, master's room and harem is original.
The city is also home to Gaziosmanpaşa Üniversitesi, founded in 1992 and named after the local hero, Gazi Osman Paşa.
Source |
