Ardahan (Province)

In the northeast of Türkiye, the place area Ardahan has a deep historical legacy bearing traces of various civilizations. With a history of approximately 3000 years, this region has served as a vital settlement center for numerous civilizations due to its strategic location opening onto Caucasus through strategic. Ardahan has remained under the dominance of major powers such as the Ottomans and Russians like and played a significant role in the battles of the War of Independence. Reinstated as a province in 1992, Ardahan continues to stand out as one of Türkiye’s notable provinces through its natural beauty, economy based on agriculture and livestock, volcanic landscape, and historical remnants.

History

The province of Ardahan has a history of approximately 3000 years and has carried traces of various civilizations throughout time. The region was first conquered in 628 AD by the Arda Turks, a branch of the Khazars, and this conquest led to the emergence of the name Ardahan. The name Ardahan began to be used following the settlement of the Arda Turks in these lands. Ardahan’s strategic importance made it an attractive location for many civilizations throughout history.

In 1068 AD, following victories by Seljuk Sultan Alparslan against the Byzantines, Ardahan was incorporated into Seljuk territories. After the Seljuks’ rule over Ardahan, the Ottoman Empire officially annexed the region in 1555 through the Amasya Treaty. During the Ottoman period, Ardahan was administered for centuries as a district subordinate to Kars. In the late 19th century, as a result of the Ottoman-Russian War (93 War), the 1878 Treaty of Berlin ceded Ardahan to the Russian Empire. This marked the beginning of approximately 40 years of Russian rule over Ardahan.

Russian rule ended in 1918 with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and Ardahan was reintegrated into the territory of the Republic of Türkiye. However, this period coincided with a time of dense Armenian and Georgian populations in the region, and the local Turkish population suffered under harsh conditions such as ethnic cleansing and occupation. The National Council Government established on 30 October 1918 rejected the Armistice of Mudros and took steps toward the independence struggle. Ardahan’s participation in the War of Independence culminated in victory when the Turkish army under the command of Kazım Karabekir Pasha and Halit Paşa recaptured Ardahan on 23 February 1921. Kazım Karabekir Paşa emphasized the region’s strategic importance by stating, “The Straits are our straits, Kars-Ardahan is our backbone,” affirming Ardahan’s critical role for Türkiye.

After the proclamation of the Republic, Ardahan was downgraded to a district under Kars Province in 1926. However, its status as a province was not restored until 1992. On 27 May 1992, Law No. 3806 reinstated Ardahan as a province with its own independent administrative structure.

Ardahan’s historical journey reveals the significant role the region played in the Turkish nation’s struggle for independence. Ottoman and Russian dominions, the War of Independence, and subsequent developments have reinforced Ardahan’s strategic and cultural importance.

Geographical Structure

Ardahan is located in the East Anatolia Region of Türkiye, partially extending into the eastern Black Sea Region. The province shares borders with Georgia to the north and partially with Georgia and Armenia to the east. To the southeast lies Kars, to the south Erzurum, and to the west Artvin. Ardahan holds strategic geographical importance as Türkiye’s gateway to the Caucasus.

Ardahan covers an area of 5,576 km² and consists of six districts: Damal, Göle, Hanak, Posof, Çıldır and Center. The central district contains 7 municipality and 39 neighborhood, along with 227 village settlements. The geography of Ardahan is surrounded by high and rugged mountains that largely shape the province’s natural landscape.

Ardahan (Source: Pexels/The KRM)

To the north of the province lie the Yalnızçam Mountains; to the east, Akbaba Mountain and Keldağ; to the southeast, Allahu Akbar Mountains and Kısır Mountain. The Ardahan Plain, covering much of the province, is a high plateau with an average elevation of 1800 meters. The highest point in Ardahan is the peak of Kısır Mountain, rising to 3,197 meters. Other significant mountains include Akbaba Mountain at 3,126 meters and Keldağ at 3,033 meters.

Ardahan’s natural terrain features volcanic and tectonic characteristics. The Göle Basin is enriched with alluvial deposits of marshes and meadows. The Ardahan Basin is a wide area surrounded by high mountains. Lake Çıldır and Lake Aktaş form important tectonic basins in the province, with their surroundings composed of volcanic and sedimentary terrain.

In addition to its high mountains and rugged terrain, Ardahan’s rich natural structure supports diverse ecosystems. This geographical diversity plays a vital role in both agricultural and livestock activities in the province. Moreover, Ardahan offers favorable conditions for outdoor sports such as mountaineering and hiking due to its distinctive geomorphological building.

Economic Structure

The economy of Ardahan is largely shaped by agriculture and livestock, with development in industry and tourism sectors remaining limited. Due to its geographical conditions, activities in these sectors rely heavily on traditional methods. While livestock and agriculture form the backbone of the provincial economy, industrial activities remain limited.

Livestock

The rich pasture and meadow areas of Ardahan provide favorable conditions for the development of livestock farming. Cattle and sheep are the most commonly raised animals. In sheep farming, black and ak Karaman breeds are widespread, while in cattle farming, the East Anatolian Red, Vezavod, and Kalakan breeds are predominant. Beekeeping is also a well-developed sector. Ardahan is particularly known for dairy production, and these products are marketed in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.

Agriculture

Agricultural activities are primarily carried out along riverbanks. Due to climatic conditions resembling the Mediterranean climate—with cold winters and dry summers—crops such as wheat, barley, barley, and small quantities of potato are cultivated. However, arable land suitable for agriculture is limited, and productive farmland is generally concentrated in areas where irrigation is feasible.

Industry

The industrial sector in Ardahan has not developed significantly. The largest enterprise in this sector is Karset, a company producing livestock-based products. Additionally, the province hosts milk collection centers and small-scale dairies. Although manufacturing industry has not yet become the engine of economic growth, recent years have seen increased investment and the establishment of industrial zones, accelerating the industrialization process. Food and beverage production holds the largest share in Ardahan’s industrial sector, with some activity also taking place in metal products and tree-mushroom products. Nevertheless, the share of industry in the regional economy remains well below the national average.

Transportation and Infrastructure

In recent years, various projects have been initiated to improve Ardahan’s transportation infrastructure. These initiatives aim to enhance efficiency in both intra-provincial and intercity transportation. Efforts to widen and upgrade existing roads seek to reduce traffic congestion and shorten travel times. The addition of new routes will facilitate urban mobility and provide the region with a more comprehensive transportation network.

Public transportation innovations are designed to offer more fast and comfortable travel. The introduction of new vehicles and modern bus lines aims to increase passenger capacity, while smart ticketing systems are being implemented to streamline transportation processes. These changes aim to increase public transportation usage and reduce reliance on private vehicle.

Tourism

Historical Structures

• Ardahan Castle: Built in the mid-16th century on the orders of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman during the Ottoman period, the castle is distinguished by its entrance arch bearing the date 1544. The castle has a rectangular plan with 745 meters of curtain walls and polygonal towers with square bases. Prehistoric research has revealed that the region was home to settlements as early as 3500–2000 BC.

Ardahan Castle and Bridge (Source: Ardahan Municipality)

• Savaşır (Cancak) Castle: Located in the southeast of Posof district, Savaşır Castle is built on a sharp hill surrounded by valleys on three sides. Its location provides strategic defensive advantages and preserves traces of ancient settlements in the region.

• Kinzi Castle: Located west of Ardahan, north of the Bağdeşe (Kinzodamal) village, Kinzi Castle lies in the southeast of Bülbülan Yaylası. Built for defensive purposes in a mountainous area, it is one of the region’s historical structures.

• Sevimli Castle: Situated on a steep hill in the Kura River valley in the southeast of Hanak district, Sevimli Castle occupies a peninsula-like area with a strategic position.

• Kalecik Castle: Located near Kalecik village in Göle district, at the intersection of the Kura Valley, the castle stands on a steep terrain with natural defensive features provided by surrounding streams and valleys, giving it historical significance.

• Şeytan Castle: Located near Yıldırımtepe village in Çıldır district, this castle dates to the Middle Ages. Built on a steep terrain, it is one of the region’s ancient defensive structures.

• Kurtkale: Located in the northeast of Çıldır district near the Georgian border, Kurtkale’s exact historical details remain unclear, but its location underscores the region’s historical and strategic importance.

• Kazan Castle: Situated in the northeast of Ardahan, commanding a position over the Kura Valley, Kazan Castle’s exact historical period has not been determined, but it draws attention through nearby traces of ancient settlements.

• Altaş (Ur) Castle: Located 18 km along the Ardahan-Hanak highway, east of Altaş village, the castle is believed to have existed since the 7th–8th centuries and is among the region’s earliest structures.

• Kırnav Castle: Located south of Hanak district, beside the Hanak Stream, the castle shares similar wall construction techniques with Ardahan Castle, though its exact construction date remains undetermined.

• Ardahan Central Mevlit Efendi Mosque: Built in 1701, this mosque is located in Halil Efendi Mahallesi and stands out for its Ottoman architectural style. Some sections have been renovated in recent years.

• Posof Central Mosque: Built in 1868, this mosque reflects Ottoman architectural traditions. It is notable for its stonework and features a historical tomb to its east.

• Derviş Bey Mosque: Constructed in 1869, this mosque is located beside the Ardahan Tugay Command. One of its distinguishing features is the inscription on its exterior façade: “There is no honor higher than Islam.”

• Akçakale Island Ruins: Located in Lake Çıldır, Akçakale Island is significant both for its natural beauty and its status as an archaeological site. This area west of Akçakale village preserves traces of ancient settlements.

Local Cuisine

• Un çorbası
• Kesma Aşı
• Höre Aşı
• Keleçoş
• Cinar çorbası
• Kelemkeşir çorbası
• Puşruk Aşı
• Ayran Çorbası
• Süt Çorbası
• Evelik Çorbası
• Pışırık Aşı

Local Administration

Governor

Hayrettin Flower is currently serving as governor in Eskişehir. He was appointed Governor of Ardahan by Presidential Decree No. 2023/376 dated 9 August 2023.