Bayburt (Province)

Bayburt is a province in Black Sea Region, located along the banks of the Çoruh River in place area. Throughout history, it has come under the rule of the Urartians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Akkoyunlu and Ottomans, and due to its position on the Silk Road, it has held a strategic commercial and strategic location.

Bayburt Castle and Bayburt - Bayburt Governorate

History

Ancient Period and Early Settlements

The history of Bayburt extends back to the 3000s BCE. City, founded by the Azzis, suffered invasions by the Cimmerians and Scythians between 770 and 665 BCE. Subsequently, the Haldians, followed by short Medes, and then the Persians, gained control of the region.

Bayburt came under the control of the Kingdom of Pontus from the 2nd century BCE and entered the dominion of the Roman Empire in the 40s BCE. During the reign of Roman Emperor Justinian (6th century CE), Bayburt Castle was repaired. In 705 CE, it was captured by the Umayyads, and in 715 CE by the Byzantines.

Turkish Rule and the Seljuks

Bayburt has been intensively settled by Turks since 1048. It was conquered by the Seljuks in 1054 and came under the rule of the Saltukids and Mengujekids in 1081. Later, it was captured by the Danişmends and then by the Byzantines. Trabzon Governor Theodore Gabras reclaimed Bayburt and declared his own authority.

Bayburt suffered great destruction during the Mongol invasions. Mugisüddin Tuğrul Şah, brother of Seljuk Sultan Süleyman Shah, fortified Bayburt Castle between 1200 and 1230.

Ottoman Period

In the 14th century, Bayburt became the center of the Akkoyunlu. In 1514, it was conquered by Bıyıklı Mehmet Pasha, vizier of Yavuz Sultan Selim, and incorporated into Ottoman territory. The Ottomans made Bayburt a provincial center, incorporating Erzurum, Tekman and İspir. Evliya Çelebi wrote that Fatih Sultan Mehmet settled 3,000 Tireli families in Bayburt.

Bayburt was occupied by Russia in 1828, recaptured by Ottoman forces, but suffered extensive damage. During the First World War, on 2 March 1916, Russian forces reached Kop Mountain, where Turkish troops and the people of Bayburt mounted a strong resistance. On 16 July 1916, Russian forces and their Armenian collaborators inflicted massive destruction and massacres in Bayburt. Bayburt was liberated from occupation on 21 February 1918.

During the Republican period, Bayburt was administered as a district subordinate to Erzurum until 1927, then to Gümüşhane. On 21 June 1989, it attained provincial status.

Geography

Bayburt is located at the intersection of the Black Sea Region and East Anatolia. Its latitude and longitude coordinates are 40°15′N and 40°13′E.

The city lies along the Çoruh River and borders Erzurum to the east, Erzincan to the south, Gümüşhane to the west, and Trabzon and Rize to the north. The Soğanlı Mountains form the highest elevations, and the city generally has a rugged and mountainous land structure.

Climate

Bayburt is under the influence of a continental climate.

• Winters are harsh and snowy.
• Summers are mild and dry.
• Annual average temperatures range between 4°C and 10°C.
• Precipitation is highest in spring and winter.

Topography

The surface features of Bayburt are primarily shaped by high plateaus, valleys and mountain ranges.

• The Soğanlı Mountains form the highest part of the province.
• The Çoruh River is Bayburt’s most important watercourse, flowing through the city center.
• Bayburt’s elevation is approximately 1,550 meters.

Bayburt’s location along the historic Silk Road route connecting Eastern Anatolia to the Black Sea has given it strategic importance importance throughout history.

Economy

Bayburt’s economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The main agricultural products are wheat, barley, sugar beet and forage crops. Fruit and vegetable production is limited, with apricot, walnut and cabbage grown as specialty crops.

Animal husbandry, including small and large livestock farming, is widespread. Bayburt’s beekeeping activities are particularly notable for its Bayburt honey.

The industry sector has not developed. The main industrial facilities in Bayburt are:

• Bayburt Cement Factory
• Bayburt Dairy Products Plant
• Small-scale flour and feed mills

Bayburt has historically been a commercial stopover due to its position on the Silk Road. Today, commercial activities are largely limited to the marketing of local agricultural and livestock products.

Population

As of 2024, Bayburt’s population is 83,676. The urban population ratio is low, with higher density in rural areas. Due to Migration, the population is in decline.

Cultural and Historical Structures

• Bayburt Castle: Built during the Byzantine period and reinforced during the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
• Aydıntepe Underground City: Believed to date from the Roman or Byzantine period.
• Baksı Museum: An award-winning museum showcasing contemporary art alongside traditional crafts.
• Dede Korkut Türbesi: A tomb attributed to Dede Korkut, a major figure in Turkish literature.
• Varzahan Monastery: Medieval Armenian and Byzantine churches.
• Ulu Camii: Built by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan II. Gıyaseddin Mesud.

Bayburt Ulu Camii - Yeni Şafak

Bayburt Cuisine

Bayburt cuisine is a fusion of Black Sea and Eastern Anatolian culinary traditions. Notable dishes include:

• Kesme Çorba: A traditional soup made with meat broth and erişte noodles.
• Galacoş: A regional dish made with yogurt, lentils and onion.
• Ekşi Lahana Yemeği: A specialty of the Black Sea region.
• Lor Dolması: A stuffed dish made with lor cheese.
• Pita: A type of flatbread filled with minced meat, cheese or potato.
• Bayburt Balı: High-quality honey produced in high-altitude pastures.

Administration

Governor

The governorship of Bayburt is currently held by Mustafa Eldivan. The governors who have served in the city from the past to the present are:

• Nihat Üçyıldız (1989–1991)
• Timur Metin (1991–1992)
• Erol Uğurlu (1992–1993)
• Ali Haydar Öner (1993–2000)
• Osman Dıraçoğlu (2000–2003)
• Akif Tığ (2003–2004)
• Musa Küçükkurt (2004–2007)
• Kerem Al (2007–2011)
• Hasan İpek (2011–2013)
• Mükerrem Ünlüer (2013–2014)
• Yusuf Odabaş (2014–2016)
• İsmail Ustaoğlu (2016–2017)
• Ali Hamza Pehlivan (2017–2019)
• Cüneyt Epcim (2019–2023)
• Mustafa Eldivan (2023–Present)

Municipal Administration

The Bayburt Municipality is currently administered by Mete Memiş as of 2024. The mayors who have served in the city from the past to the present are:

• Zahit Molla Salihoğlu (1916–1922)
• Kamil Alp (1922–1930)
• Fahreddin Kumbasar (1930–1934)
• Tevfik Çoruh (1934–1940)
• Kazım Köklü (1940–1946)
• Mehmet Oltulu (1946–1950)
• Necati Alp (1950–1956)
• Kemal Kutlu (1956–1960)
• Nevzat Şensoy (1960–1963)
• Kazım Köklü (1963–1968)
• Mustafa Turgut (1968–1973)
• Nihat Köklü (1973–1977)
• Numan Erengil (1977–1980)
• Bülent Eğriboz (1980–1983)
• Ali Bilen (1984–1987)
• Vural İşaşır (1987–1989)
• Muammer Daştan (1989–1994)
• Yavuz Şahin (1994–1999)
• Hükmü Pekmezci (1999–2004)
• Bekir Çetin (2004–2009)
• Hacı Ali Polat (2009–2014)
• Mete Memiş (2014–2019)
• Hükmü Pekmezci (2019–2024)
• Mete Memiş (2024–Present)

Districts

1. Aydıntepe
2. Demirözü
3. Merkez (Bayburt)