Zara (District)

Zara is a charming district situated right beside the Kızılırmak, Türkiye's longest river, and is rich with ancient stories. This beautiful place, which belongs to the city of Sivas, resembles an adventure land for children, with its high mountains and crystal-blue lake.

Zara is approximately 72 kilometers from the center of Sivas.^【1】 It is surrounded by extremely high mountains such as Beydağı and Gürlevik that rise toward the sky. These mountains protect the district like a fortress. In winter, the district is covered in a pure white blanket of snow, while in spring it transforms into lush green gardens nourished by the Kızılırmak. Although the weather is quite cold in winter, the warmth of the people’s hospitality warms the heart.

^{Visual representing Zara (}T.C. Sivas Valiliği⁾

Did you know that people have lived in Zara for thousands of years? Ancient stone tools discovered during excavations show that this area was inhabited even during the Chalcolithic Age. During the Hittite period, Zara was known as "İştitina" and was already an important trade center. Under the Seljuks and the Ottomans, Zara remained a highly valuable stop where major routes intersected. Exactly 783 years ago, in 1243, a major battle took place at Kösedağ, northeast of Zara.^【2】 This battle between the Anatolian Seljuk State and the Mongols was a pivotal event that changed the course of history.

If you ever find yourself in Zara, you must visit Tödürge Lake. It is a vast body of water beloved by fish and migratory birds. While walking around the lake, you can listen to the sounds of nature. Additionally, the rock caves in Demiryurt Village allow you to feel like an ancient explorer. These caves were carved into the rocks long ago by people seeking shelter.

^{Visual representing Zara (generated by artificial intelligence).}

The founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, stopped in Zara during his journey from Erzurum to Sivas during the National Struggle. The people of Zara welcomed him with great affection. Atatürk also visited Zara with his wife, Latife Hanım. During this visit, Latife Hanım became curious about how children were raised and engaged in warm conversations with local mothers on the subject.