Tokat history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Tokat is rooted in deep antiquity, spanning a period of over 5,000 years. Archaeological findings indicate that the first settlements in this fertile region appeared as early as the Chalcolithic era (Copper Age). Throughout different eras, these lands were under the rule of the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, and Alexander the Great.

In ancient sources, the city and its surroundings were often associated with the settlement of Comana Pontica, an important religious centre of that time. During the Byzantine period, the city was known as Eudokia (in honour of the empress) and Dazimon. The name "Tokat" itself, according to one version, derives from the name of the fortress "Tok-Kat," which may mean "walled fortress."

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Tokat into a significant urban centre was driven by a combination of several strategic factors:

• Geography: The city is situated in the picturesque and fertile valley of the Yeşilırmak River (ancient Iris). This provided residents with water and allowed for the development of agriculture, which was critical for the survival and prosperity of ancient settlements.
• Trade: Tokat was located at the intersection of vital trade routes connecting the East and West, including the famous Silk Road. Caravans carrying silk, spices, and precious metals stopped here for rest and to exchange goods, contributing to rapid economic growth.
• Military and Political Significance: The famous Tokat Fortress, rising on a steep rocky hill, made the city difficult for enemies to access. Thanks to its impregnability, it served as a key defensive point for the Romans, Byzantines, and later for the Seljuks and Ottomans.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

With the arrival of Turkic tribes in Anatolia, especially during the rule of the Danishmendid dynasty (11th–12th centuries), Tokat flourished as a centre of Islamic culture and science. It was here that one of the first educational complexes in Anatolia — the Yağıbasan Madrasa — was built.

The economy of early Tokat was built not only on transit trade but also on craftsmanship. Even in the Middle Ages, the city was renowned for:

• Copper Processing: Local masters created exquisite cookware and ornaments, establishing traditions that are still alive today.
• Textiles: The production of fabrics and block printing on cloth (the art of "Yazma") became the region's hallmark.
• Viticulture and Agriculture: Thanks to the mild climate of the valley, vineyards and fruit orchards flourished here.

Key Dates in the History of Tokat

• 47 BC — Julius Caesar achieves victory in the Battle of Zela (modern territory of the province), after which he utters the famous phrase "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered").
• 1074 — The city comes under the rule of the Turkic ruler Danishmend Gazi, becoming one of the capitals of the Danishmendid Beylik.
• 1151 — Completion of the Yağıbasan Madrasa, considered the first Islamic educational institution in Anatolia.
• 1175 — Tokat becomes part of the Sultanate of Rum after being conquered by the Seljuk Sultan Kilij Arslan II.
• 1243 — After the defeat of the Seljuks in the Battle of Köse Dağ, the city falls under the influence of the Mongol Ilkhanids.
• 1392 — Sultan Bayezid I annexes Tokat to the Ottoman Empire, strengthening the state's borders in the east.
• 1402 — After the Battle of Ankara, the city is temporarily ravaged by the forces of Tamerlane.
• 1442–1448 — The Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler, known in history as Dracula, is held captive in the dungeons of Tokat Fortress.
• 17th Century — The era of Tokat's flourishing as a major craft centre for copper processing and the production of printed fabrics, described by the traveller Evliya Çelebi.
• June 26, 1919 — Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visits Tokat to meet with local representatives at the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.
• 1923 — With the proclamation of the Republic, Tokat receives official status as the administrative centre of the province of the same name.
• 1992 — Foundation of Gaziosmanpaşa University, which gave a new impulse to the cultural and social development of the city.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

The evolution of Tokat is a journey from a strategic fortress to a major trade and educational centre. The main milestones of development have formed its unique architectural and cultural appearance, which tourists can observe today.

• Status as the Danishmendid Capital (11th–12th centuries): The transformation of Tokat from a military fortification into a political and scientific centre. The construction of the Yağıbasan Madrasa not only created the first educational institution in Anatolia but also laid the foundation for the development of science and medicine in the region, turning the city into a magnet for the intellectual elite of that time.
• Seljuk Urban Planning (13th century): A period of active urbanisation that defined the historical layout. The construction of the Hıdırlık Bridge across the Yeşilırmak River radically improved the region's logistics, while the construction of the Gök Medrese affirmed the city's status as a centre of high architectural culture.
• Trade Flourishing on the Silk Road (15th–17th centuries): Integration into the global economic network of the Ottoman Empire. The construction of majestic caravanserais, such as Taşhan (Voyvoda Han), made Tokat a key logistical hub for merchants travelling from East to West, ensuring a powerful influx of capital to the city.
• Formation of Craft Brands: The development of unique production traditions. Tokat became the main centre for copper processing in Anatolia and the birthplace of the art of "Yazma" (pattern printing on fabric). This formed a sustainable economic model oriented towards the export of finished goods, not just raw materials.
• Agro-industrial Industrialisation (20th century): In the republican period, the city's economy reoriented towards the processing of agricultural products. The creation of the tobacco industry and sugar production stimulated an influx of population from villages and the expansion of city boundaries.
• University Transformation (since 1992): The founding of Gaziosmanpaşa University became a catalyst for modern changes. The emergence of a large university rejuvenated the city's population, boosted the service sector, cafes, and modern housing, gradually shifting the economic focus from manufacturing to the knowledge economy and tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

Tokat is often called an "open-air museum," as its architecture represents a unique synthesis where monuments of different eras stand side by side. The city developed organically, descending from the impregnable fortress on the hill to the fertile valley of the Yeşilırmak River. Unlike many other cities, a dense historical fabric has been preserved here, allowing one to trace the evolution of Anatolian architecture over 900 years.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The architectural heritage of Tokat can be clearly divided into several key periods, each of which brought its stylistic features to the city's appearance:

• Danishmendid and Seljuk Period (12th–13th centuries):

  This is an era of monumental stone architecture. The style is characterised by the severity of forms, massive portals, and exquisite stone carving. Buildings of this period are distinguished by their functionality and durability.

  Iconic elements: Geometric ornaments, use of turquoise tiles, internal courtyards (iwans).

• Classical Ottoman Period (15th–17th centuries):

  The time of the flourishing of commercial and religious architecture. Heaviness is replaced by domed structures and more elegant minarets. The city is enriched with complexes including mosques, baths (hammams), and trading rows.

  Iconic elements: Lead domes, alternation of stone and brick in masonry, arched galleries.

• Late Ottoman Period and "Turkish Baroque" (18th–19th centuries):

  During this period, European trends penetrated architecture. Elements of Baroque and Rococo appear in the decoration of fountains, interiors of mosques, and civil buildings. Clock towers are built — a symbol of the modernisation of cities of that time.

• Traditional Civil Architecture (19th century):

  The residential development of Tokat is represented by classic Anatolian mansions (konaks). These houses were built using a mixed technique: the ground floor of stone or adobe brick, and the upper floors of a wooden frame.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The appearance of Tokat is formed by several key objects that serve as the architectural landmarks of the city:

• Sulusokak District: The historical core of the city. This is perhaps the only street in Turkey where one can see mosques, madrasas, hans, and tombs of three different civilisations standing side by side. The street has preserved its authentic atmosphere and cobblestones.
• Gök Medrese (Blue Madrasa): A masterpiece of Seljuk architecture from the 13th century. The building is known for its open courtyard and two-coloured stone portal. It received its name ("Sky Madrasa") thanks to the turquoise tiles that adorned the facade.
• Taşhan: One of the most beautiful caravanserais in Anatolia (17th century). It is a two-storey building with an open inner courtyard and a fountain, which is still used for its intended purpose — craft shops and cafes operate here.
• Latifoğlu Mansion (Latifoğlu Konağı): A brilliant example of residential architecture in the Baroque style of the 19th century. The house is distinguished by rich ceiling paintings, wood carving, and an L-shaped layout, characteristic of wealthy Turkish families of that time.
• Clock Tower: Built in 1902 for the 25th anniversary of Sultan Abdul Hamid II's accession to the throne, it became a symbol of the new era and rises above the historical centre, adding a vertical accent to the city panorama.

Famous Personalities of Tokat

The history of Tokat is inextricably linked with the names of great commanders, scholars, and rulers. These people not only influenced the fate of the region but also left a noticeable mark on world and Turkish history.

• Danishmend Gazi (died 1104)
  Dynasty founder and commander
  A legendary Turkic warrior who made Tokat one of the capitals of his state. It was thanks to his efforts that the region became a centre of Islamic culture and enlightenment in Anatolia. His mausoleum is located in the neighbouring city of Niksar, but his legacy lives on in the architecture of Tokat.
• Vlad III the Impaler (Dracula) (1431–1476)
  Voivode of Wallachia
  Although not a native of the city, the famous prototype of Count Dracula spent about four years in the dungeons of Tokat Fortress as a political hostage. This historical fact attracts many enthusiasts of mysticism and history to the walls of the local citadel.
• Ibn Kemal (Kemalpaşazade) (1468–1534)
  Sheikh al-Islam, historian, and scholar
  A native of Tokat who became one of the most influential intellectuals of the Ottoman Empire during the era of Suleiman the Magnificent. The author of monumental works on history and law, he was considered a teacher of sultans and made a huge contribution to the development of Ottoman jurisprudence.
• Gazi Osman Pasha (1832–1900)
  Ottoman Field Marshal
  A national hero of Turkey, born in Tokat. He became famous for the heroic defence of Plevna during the Russo-Turkish War. The city university (Gaziosmanpaşa University) is named in his honour, and monuments are erected across the country.
• Cahit Külebi (1917–1997)
  Poet and writer
  One of the leading representatives of 20th-century Turkish literature, born in the district of Zile (Tokat Province). In his poems, he often praised the beauty of Anatolia and his homeland, becoming the voice of his generation.
• Hüseyin Akbaş (1933–1989)
  Athlete, Olympic medalist
  A legendary wrestler in freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, a native of the region. A six-time world champion and a silver and bronze medalist at the Olympic Games. He became a symbol of the sporting glory of Tokat, where wrestling is traditionally one of the most popular sports.