Hamamözü, a district of Amasya province known for its tranquility and natural beauty, is located approximately 90 kilometers from the city center. It takes its name from the healing thermal baths in its center, thought to date back to the Roman period, and from the stream (öz) that flows through it. For many years a sub-district of Gümüşhacıköy, Hamamözü gained district status in 1990.
Hamamözü ( Hamamözü District Governorship )
History
The history of the Hamamözü district of Amasya province is closely tied to the region's geographical location and natural resources. Its thermal springs, in particular, have been instrumental in preserving the settlement's importance throughout history. The settlement, which has been shaped around these hot springs since ancient times, has carried the traces of various civilizations over time. While the region's general history dates back to the Hittites, precise information regarding the beginning of settlement in Hamamözü is limited. However, the presence of thermal springs indicates that the region was known and used during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
With the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia, the region came under Turkish rule. During the Seljuk and later Ottoman periods, Hamamözü and its surrounding area remained under the Amasya Sanjak. The settlement's name is associated with the historic baths in the area and the stream (öz) flowing through it. Legend has it that a bathhouse was built over a hot spring, and the settlement developed around it. Over time, its current name, "Hamamözü," was derived from expressions such as "Özü of the Bath" or "Hamam Stream." These thermal springs not only gave the settlement its name but also played a decisive role in the region's social and economic life.
Hamamözü, which existed for a long time as a village within the Gümüşhacıköy district under the Ottoman administrative structure, experienced significant changes in its administrative status during the Republican era. Following the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, administrative regulations granted it the status of a sub-district (township) within Gümüşhacıköy in 1923 or 1924. During this period, Hamamözü acquired an administrative identity as a sub-district center and became a hub for the surrounding villages. Its sub-district status contributed to the settlement's development and facilitated the access of public services to the region.
Hamamözü, which remained a sub-district for approximately seventy years, began to possess the potential to become a district with its growing population and evolving socio-economic structure. As a result of efforts undertaken in this direction, it gained district status with Law No. 3644, enacted on May 20, 1990, and became a district of Amasya province. This date marks a turning point in Hamamözü's modern administrative history. As a district, it gained its own district governor's office, municipal organization, and other public institutions, increasing its administrative and service capacity.
Today, Hamamözü is a district that continues to develop while preserving its historical identity and natural riches. Its thermal tourism potential, in particular, plays a significant role in the district's economy and promotion. As throughout history, its thermal springs remain one of Hamamözü's most distinctive features. With its historical heritage and natural beauty stretching from past to present, Hamamözü remains one of Amasya's most important districts.
Geography and Climate
Hamamözü, a district of Amasya province, is geographically located in the inland region of the Central Black Sea Region. Located approximately 90 kilometers from the city center, the district borders Laçin and Osmancık, a district of Çorum province, to the north and west, Gümüşhacıköy, a district of Çorum, to the east, and Mecitözü, also a district of Çorum, to the south. The district covers an area of approximately 202 square kilometers, and its average elevation is 690 meters above sea level. This location places the district in a transition zone, experiencing the influences of both the Black Sea climate and the Central Anatolian continental climate.
The district's terrain is generally rugged. While the northern parts are more mountainous, the terrain towards the south varies between lower hills and plains. The district center and its surroundings generally resemble a valley or plain surrounded by mountains and hills. These mountainous areas are important elements that shape the region's natural vegetation and agricultural activities. The main determining factor in the district's hydrographic structure is the stream, from which it derives its name. This stream and its smaller tributaries play a role in meeting the region's water needs and agricultural irrigation. The natural vegetation varies depending on the climate and terrain. Forests and shrubs are found in higher elevations, while agricultural areas and steppe vegetation are found in valley floors and flatter areas.
The climate of the Hamamözü district exhibits a transitional characteristic between the continental and Black Sea climates. This results in hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. As the moderating influence of the Black Sea climate diminishes towards the interior, the harshness of the continental climate becomes more pronounced. Annual average temperatures and precipitation reflect this transitional characteristic. While temperatures rise in the summer, frost and snowfall are common in the winter. The heaviest precipitation generally falls in spring and autumn. These climatic characteristics directly affect the agricultural products grown in the region and the general vegetation. The district's geographic structure and climatic conditions have been fundamental factors shaping the region's settlement patterns, economic activities, and lifestyles throughout history.
Population and Demography
Hamamözü district, a small-scale settlement within the borders of Amasya province, has a population of 3,567 as of 2024. Of this population, 1,714 are male and 1,853 are female; in terms of gender distribution, the ratio is observed as 48.05% male and 51.95% female. Population data spanning years reveal that the district has experienced significant fluctuations in the last eighteen-year period. The highest population level observed with 5,264 people in 2007 entered an uninterrupted decreasing trend in the following years and decreased to 3,873 in 2015; after stabilizing between 3,798–3,757 in the 2016–2017 period, it reached 3,955 with a short-term increase in 2018. A decline was experienced again in the 2019–2022 period; The district's population, which dropped to 3,495 at the end of 2022, increased to 4,003 in 2023, surpassing the 4,000 mark again, before declining to 3,567 in 2024. These population movements are considered typical reflections of a rural settlement profile. The district's high population growth in the early years of the period from 2007 to the present has subsequently declined significantly due to limited non-agricultural employment opportunities and migration pressures towards metropolitan centers. While the partial increase observed in 2018 is likely related to return migration or local economic activity, a new wave of decline occurred in the following three years. Conversely, the significant increase observed in 2023 suggests that the population has recovered, albeit temporarily.
Data on gender structure provides insight into Hamamözü's youth population dynamics and the gender distribution of the workforce. The slightly higher female population ratio compared to males as of 2024 may indicate the continued participation of women in agricultural and household production activities in rural areas. However, annual data reveals that the male population slightly exceeds the female population in some years, which may be due to the return of male migration or seasonal variations in inter-institutional job opportunities. Hamamözü's demographic picture provides important insights into how population movements within a narrow geographical area are shaped by socioeconomic and spatial factors. Despite periodic population increases and decreases, the district has a population profile generally stable between 3,500 and 4,000. This stability can be attributed to both the strength of social solidarity networks and limited economic diversification. For long-term development and service planning, strengthening employment, education, health, and social infrastructure, as well as supporting the young population with appropriate resources, is critical for a sustained population growth return.
Economy
The economic structure of the Hamamözü district of Amasya province is largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The district's geographical location and climatic conditions play a decisive role in these two sectors becoming the primary sources of income. Agricultural activities form the backbone of the district's economy and provide income for a significant portion of the local population. The district's primary agricultural products include grains, legumes, and forage crops. Available agricultural land allows for the cultivation of these crops and shapes the region's agricultural production pattern.
Along with agriculture, animal husbandry is an essential element of Hamamözü's economy. Small and large cattle farming is particularly prevalent. Livestock farming provides direct income through meat and dairy production and supports agricultural activities. The region's pasturelands and forage crop production are crucial for the sustainability of animal husbandry. Animal husbandry, conducted using traditional methods, is a key contributor to the district's economy.
Beyond these two main sectors, another important factor enhancing Hamamözü's economic potential is its thermal water resources. Located in the district center and used throughout history, the thermal springs constitute a magnet for health tourism. Thermal facilities and their associated services have the potential to diversify the district's economy. Thermal spring tourism can revitalize the local economy by providing opportunities for the development of accommodation, food and beverage, and other service sectors. This natural resource stands out as a supportive and diversifying factor in the district's economy, which is based solely on agriculture and livestock farming.
Other economic activities in the district generally involve small-scale trade and services developed in conjunction with these main sectors. The trade in agricultural and animal products, along with businesses providing services for basic needs, constitutes the economic life of the district center. Overall, Hamamözü's economy is based on its natural resources and traditional production methods, with agriculture and animal husbandry at the forefront, but also boasts tourism potential thanks to its thermal springs.
Tourism, Culture and Cuisine
Hamamözü, a district of Amasya province, boasts significant tourism and cultural potential thanks to its natural resources and historical heritage. At the heart of the district's touristic identity are its thermal springs, known and used throughout history as a source of healing. These springs constitute a significant attraction for both health tourism and recreational visitors.
The district's most important tourism asset is its historic baths and hot springs, also known by their name. The thermal springs, known as the Arkut Bey Thermal Springs, are among the region's most renowned natural and cultural assets. The history of these hot springs dates back to ancient times and is even mentioned in Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname (Travel Book). The thermal waters are said to have a specific temperature and contain various minerals. Due to these properties, the hot springs are believed to be helpful in treating various health problems, particularly rheumatic diseases, skin disorders, and neuralgia. The thermal facilities in the region offer visitors the opportunity to benefit from these healing waters. The presence of modern facilities alongside historical baths allows visitors with diverse expectations to be catered to. Thermal tourism is a primary tourism activity that contributes to the district's economy and plays a significant role in promoting the region.
Hamamözü's social structure is predominantly based on Circassian families who settled in Anatolia during the late 19th-century migrations. Shared memories, still strongly held in the villages and town centers, offer a cultural continuity through language and customs. Annual sports and cultural events held in the district, commemorating former internationally successful wrestlers like Hamit Kaplan and Adil Cindemir, reinforce the sportsmanship values of the region's youth and contribute to the maintenance of a sense of local history. The Hamit Kaplan Museum in the town center not only showcases this nationally renowned athlete but also serves as a symbol that elevates the cultural heritage of small settlements to a national level.
The district's traditional economy, based on agriculture and animal husbandry, forms the basis of Hamamözü cuisine. While the limited agricultural lands limit agricultural productivity, fruits and vegetables from the orchards nestled within the poplar and willow groves, along with whole grains, legumes, and dairy products grown in the surrounding villages, are prominent both in the daily diet and in hospitality rituals. Guests hosted at the thermal resort are typically introduced to local soups, yogurt-based bulgur dishes, fresh cheese, clotted cream, and a variety of jams and molasses prepared in the autumn. Homemade bread and pastries, offered at markets that can be set up during peak local production days, preserve the region's rural culinary heritage. These delicacies showcase the district's gastronomic identity to visitors throughout the domestic tourism season.
