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Tokat is a provincial city with approx. 110 thousand. residents. It has a typical Turkish atmosphere and almost no tourists come here, and there are some valuable sights to see. Tokat is a base for visiting the nearby Ballica Magarasi cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Turkey, and according to some – the world. You can stay here for one full day, to take a leisurely walk around the city, and spend half the next day on a trip to the cave.

History

The place was already inhabited in the Hittite era and in the past it was a more important center of trade than today. Its greatest heyday was in Roman times (then it was called, or rather a fortress on a hill – Dazimon) and Byzantine and in its time successfully competed with the nearby Pontic city of Comana. Under the Seljuks, it continued to play the role of a significant center of trade (even before that, the city was ruled by the Danishmendidz dynasty), At that time, several dozen caravanserais and several madrasahs were established here. W 1335 r. Tokat was captured by the Turkish rulers of Eretna, and at the end of the century, Sultan Beyazid I entered here. In the mid-15th century. the city was shocked by the events of Uzun Hassan's reign, and then there was a period of quiet development. The decline of the importance of Tokatu dates back to the 17th century. (even the silk trade did not save him). It did not play a major role at the decline of the Ottoman Empire. After the war for independence, Tokat fell to the position of an agricultural town, which he has remained to this day.

Places, which are worth seeing

We will start our tour in the city center, at the foot of the eastern slope of the hill, Sky madrassas (Blue Medresa), which is not enough, that it is an attraction in itself, it still houses an interesting museum, open from. 8.30- 11.00,13.00- 17.00, introduction: 0,7 USD, students: 0,35 USD. The building was built in 1277 r. from the foundation of Muineddin Pervane Suleyman, local ruler. Until the 17th century. madrasah was used as a hospital. Through the stalactite portal we enter the courtyard surrounded by multi-storey arcades with pointed arches. We know immediately, where did the name of the madrassa come from?, which is lined from the inside with blue faience tiles. Behind the arcades there were rooms for students and lecture halls. The room next to the livan serves as a tomb for unidentified "forty virgins" (Kirkkizlar Turbesi). As it happens in Turkish museums, yes, and it has an archaeological and ethnographic section. They are both equally interesting.

A little further south, on the same side of the road, it is impossible not to notice a large Tas Han (also called Voyvoda Han), the caravanserai. It was created in 1631 r. and is one of the most important buildings in Tokat from the time of the Ottomans. Around the courtyard there is a ground floor and a floor above 100 rooms that serve as shops and rooms for travelers. At the time of writing the guide, han was closed; it will probably not be opened soon. The courtyard is covered with grass and bushes.

On the opposite side of Gazi Osman Pasa Bulv. a narrow street to the east leads to Hatuniye Camii (also known as Meydan Camii), one of the greatest Ottoman mosques in Tokata. It was built during the times of Beiazid II in the 1485 r. for his mother Gulbahar Hatun – hence the name of the temple. It is a single-dome structure preceded by a five-part portico. There is an additional one next to the minaret, little, a flat domed room, and in the courtyard there is a fountain (sadiran) covered with a roof supported by several columns. The columns that make up the arcades of the portico are topped with stalactite capitals. The portal is a work of art; he is slender and tall, also decorated with stalactites.