Erzincan
Erzincan (Armenian: Երզնկա, Yerznka or Erznka, Kurdish: Ezirgan, Zazaki: Erzıngan, also known in Byzantine sources as Celtzene and Acilisene to the Romans) is the capital of Erzincan Province in the eastern Anatolian region of Turkey. Nearby cities include Erzurum, Sivas, Tunceli, Bingöl, Elazığ, Malatya, Gumushane, Bayburt, and Giresun. The city is located at 39° 45' 12" North and 39° 20' 28" East, with an altitude of 1185 meters. The population is 90,100 (2009 census). Its climate produces snowy winters and cool summers.
The city is notable for a special cheese called "Tulum Peyniri" in Turkish. It is a significant road and rail junction and was once noted for its silverware. Current industries include sugar refining and textile industries.
The city is the headquarters of the Turkish Third Army.
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History
The Erzincan valley was the location of the most important pre-Christian shrine in Armenia, dedicated to the Armenian goddess Anahit. The temple, whose site has not yet been identified, was in a settlement called Erez. The text of Agathangelos records that during the first year of his reign, King Trdat went to Erez and visited Anahit's temple to offer sacrifice. The king ordered Gregory the Illuminator, who was secretly a Christian, to make an offering at its altar. When Gregory refused he was taken captive and tortured, starting the events that would end with Trdat's conversion to Christianity some 14 years later. [1] After that conversion, during the Christianisation of Armenia, the temple at Erez was destroyed and its property and lands given to Gregory. It later became known for its extensive monasteries.
In 1071 Erzincan was absorbed into the Mengüçoglu under the Seljuk Sulëiman Kutalmish. In 1243 it was destroyed in fighting between the Seljuks under Kaykhusraw II and the Mongols. But by 1254 it had recovered enough that William of Rubruck was able to say an earthquake had killed more than 10,000 people.
Erzincan has the largest man made of Portrait of Atatürk, located north of the city, 176m×43m. It covers 7,500 square meter. Turkish Army made it 1982, in 29 days by 3,000 soldier, 100 tons of black and white paint was used. It can be easily been seen from the 10,000m above the ground (39 47 21.93N,39 28 34.91E)
Battle of Erzincan
The Battle of Erzincan tooka place during the Caucasus Campaign of the First World War
In 1916 Erzincan was the headquarters for the Turkish Third Army commanded by Kerim Pasha. The Russian General Nikolai Yudenich led the Russian Caucasus Army who captured Marna Khatun on 12 July 1916. They then gained the heights of Naglika and took a Turkish position on the banks of the Durum Durasi river, with their cavalry breaking through the Boz-Tapa-Meretkli line. They then advanced on Erzincan arriving by 25 June and taking the city in two days. The city was relatively untouched by battle and Yudenich seized large quantities of supplies. Despite the strategic advantages gained from this victory, Yudenich made no more significant advances and had his forces reduced due to Russian reverses further north.[2]
Colonel Kâzim Karabekir was appointed commander of the First Caucasian Army Corps. Aware of the weaknesses of the Russian Army, they marched against the Russians, retaking Erzincan in February 1918.
Famous inhabitants
- Varaztad Kazanjian, Armenian-American dentist who was one of the pioneers of plastic surgery
- Soghomon Tehlirian, Armenian activist
References
- ↑ Vreg Nersessian, "Treasures From the Ark", 2001, p114-115
- ↑ World War I: A Student Encyclopedia by John S.D. Eisenhower (Foreword), Spencer Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts (Ed.s)
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Coordinates: 39°45′N 39°30′E / 39.75°N 39.5°E