This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Çankırı is a province located in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region place known for its historical and cultural richness. Çankırı also attracts attention not only as one of the key nodes in road transportation row but also for its natural beauty, historical structures, and traditional way of life.
Çankırı lies in a transitional zone between the Black Sea Region and the Central Anatolia Region. Çankırı shares borders with the provinces of Ankara to the west, Konya to the south, and Kastamonu to the east. Although it has no direct connection to the Black Sea to the north, it is influenced by the Black Sea as a whole region. The total area of Çankırı is 7,661 km².
Çankırı is an area dominated by a continental climate. Summers are hot and dry while winters are cold and snow precipitous. This climate significantly affects the natural plant cover and agricultural production. The mountainous areas of Çankırı are surrounded by forests and valleys. The Ilgaz Mountains are the most renowned mountain range in the region, and the Ilgaz Mountain National Park is located within these mountains.
Çankırı’s history has been shaped by the influence of numerous civilizations including the Hittites, Phrygians, and the Roman Empire like. Therefore, Çankırı is a province rich in historical terms, possessing many historical ruins and structures.
1. Çankırı Castle
Located in the city center, this castle has been used and restored by various civilizations throughout history.
2. Paşasultan (Ulu) Mosque
Located in the Sağlık Neighborhood of Şabanözü District. It is one of the columned mosques whose earliest examples date back to the 13th century and became widespread during the Beylikler Period. The mosque’s original prayer hall has a longitudinal plan oriented toward the qibla and consists of three naves. Beams laid in the north-south direction are supported perpendicularly to the qibla by three pairs of wooden column columns. These beams rest on consoles on the walls of the Paşasultan Mosque. Above these beams, wooden columns laid in the east-west direction form the ceiling. The central nave is higher than the side naves. In 1977, a second worship area was added to the final congregation section.
3. Büyük (Sultan Süleyman) Mosque
This mosque, from the Sinan period, was constructed by Kalfa under the order of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Its inscription reads:
By command, it was built in the year
This is Sultan Süleyman, the source of all good
Beholding it, the observer is filled with wonder
Thus was the mosque of goodness recorded
This quatrain is inscribed in sülüs script.
4. Çankırı Museum
The Çankırı Museum began its activities in 1972 with 116 artifacts collected from the surrounding area, displayed on the ground floor of the Halkevi building (People Education Center). It continued its operations in this building until 1976, when the Halk Eğitim building was demolished and replaced by the 100th Anniversary Culture Center, prompting a temporary relocation to Çankırı High School. One classroom was converted into a storage area, and museum administrative activities were conducted there.
After the completion of the 100th Anniversary Culture Center, the museum was relocated to the second floor on 23 August 1981 and reopened to the public. However, due to the continuously increasing number of artifacts and the inadequate physical conditions of the existing building, a new facility became necessary. As a result of these efforts, the Çankırı Old Konağı, a structure from the reign of II. Abdülhamid, was restored and began operating as the Çankırı Museum in 2017. The museum, with 3,000 m² of indoor and 600 m² of outdoor exhibition space, displays artifacts and findings in its Archaeology, Ethnography, and Paleontology Halls.
Çankırı’s economy is based on agriculture, livestock farming, and small-scale industry.
1. Agricultural Production: Particularly wheat, barley, chickpea, sugar beet, apple and salt production stand out. The salt produced in Çankırı has gained fame as Çankırı Salt.
2. Livestock Farming: Large and small livestock farming is common in Çankırı. Fishing is also an interesting sector.
3. Industry: In the small industry region of Çankırı, handicrafts and local production hold a notable place.
Çankırı’s landscape and mountains offer an ideal destination for tourists seeking nature-based activities and trekking to do.
1. Ilgaz Mountain National Park
A popular destination for hiking, mountaineering, and winter sports.
2. Derbent Martyrdom Site and Picnic Area
Located 24 km from Ilgaz and 74 km from Çankırı, the picnic area lies alongside the Ilgaz-Kastamonu State Highway. The 5-hectare site includes a motel with a capacity of 12 room 42 bed, and is favored by those wishing to engage in winter sports as well as those traveling by private vehicle for travel stays. The picnic area, covered with pine, fir, and fir trees, hosts a popular seasonal event in close time.
Çankırı cuisine is renowned for its regional dishes and traditional flavors.
Çankırı Karatekin University, located in Çankırı, is one of the higher education institutions in the province. University has become a center for cultural and academic activities due to its youthful population. Local theater groups, music and dance communities also contribute to Çankırı’s cultural life by organizing cultural festivals.
Çankırı has a well-developed road transportation network. It is 137 km from Ankara and 460 km from Istanbul. Çankırı province, connected to the railway network in 1931, lies on the Ankara-Zonguldak railway line. The total length of railway within the province is 172 km. The railway enters the province from the southern Tüney village, following the Ankara-Çankırı highway to reach Çankırı. From there, it heads northwest, following the route: Çankırı Provincial Center-Apsarı-Demirçevre-Göllüce-Sumucak-Kurşunlu-Atkaracalar-Çerkeş-Kurtçimeni-İsmetpaşa-Ortaköy-Eskipazar.
The Governor of Çankırı is Mustafa Fırat Taşolar. He was born on 18 February 1981 in Kahramanmaraş. After completing his primary and secondary education in various provinces, he graduated from Kahramanmaraş Çukurova Electricity Anatolia High School in 1999. In the same year, he was admitted to the Public Administration Department of Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences and graduated in 2003. Governor Taşolar was appointed Governor of Çankırı on 10 August 2023.
The Mayor of Çankırı Municipality is İsmail Hakkı Esen. Born in Çankırı in 1970, Esen completed his primary and secondary education in Çankırı and graduated from Dokuz September University in 1993. He speaks German fluently. He has been serving as Mayor of Çankırı since 4 April 2019.
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