Kemah (District)

Kemah is a district in Türkiye's East Anatolia Region, known for its historical and cultural richness within Erzincan Province. Kemah, located approximately 52 km from the center of Erzincan city, covers an area of 2,354 km².

The history of Kemah extends back to the Hittite period. It is first mentioned in a text from the reign of Hittite King Suppiluliuma I, where it is referred to as “Kumaha” during a war with the king of Hayasa, Kranis. Throughout history, the district has been under the control of many civilizations including the Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans like. During the Mengücek Beylik period, Kemah was a important settlement that came under the protection of the Anatolian Seljuk State in 1228, and later fell under the dominion of Turkmen communities such as the Eretna Beylik, Kara Koyunlu and Akkoyunlu. From 1503 onward, it passed into the hands of the Safavids.

Kemah lies within the influence of a continental climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and rainy. The annual average temperature is 12.3°C and the average annual rainfall is 11.6 mm. The district’s vegetation cover is predominantly steppe; herbaceous plants turn green in spring and dry up in summer. The surrounding mountains are generally bare and treeless, but local areas feature oak groves and poplar and söğüt trees along riverbanks.

According to 2024 data, the total population of Kemah is 6,850, of which 3,596 are male and 3,254 are female. While 2,248 people reside in the district center, a total of 4,602 live in towns and villages.

The economy of Kemah is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry. In the past, traditional crafts such as ironworking, carpentry, felt-making, weaving, tailoring, copper smithing, tinning, construction, stove-making, milling, hand-weaving, baking, trading and tinworking were widespread, but today these crafts have largely disappeared.

Kemah draws attention through its rich historical heritage. Kemah Castle is one of the district’s most important historical structures. Additionally, a Sultan Melik Türbesi dating from the Mengücek Beylik period is among its significant cultural assets. Kemah also features numerous historical building such as traditional architectural examples, mosques and tombs.

Located on a natural rocky platform in the northwestern part of Kemah district, the Sultan Melik Türbesi dates to the Mengücek Beylik period (1071–1228). The structure is regarded as one of the important examples of Anatolian Turkish tomb architectural tradition due to its architectural features and construction techniques.

The tomb has an octagonal plan built of brick. At the center of the lower chamber lies an octagonal column that supports the upper level. This column contributes to the architectural balance and enhances the building’s vertical organization. The ceiling vaults, central pillar and ceiling section are designed in a brickwork pattern reflecting the aesthetic sensibility of early Turkish architecture.

The tomb is notable both for its construction material and for preserving the original form of the burial. Within the structure, known also as “Sultan Angel Türbesi” during People, the mummified body of Sultan Melik, believed to belong to the Mengücek Beylik period, is interred along with four other graves, making a total of five burials. This underscores that the structure holds not only architectural but also socio-cultural and religious significance.

^{Sultan Melik Türbesi(}Kemah Municipality)

The Acemoğlu Boğazı Bridge is situated on the Erzincan-Kemah black route, spanning the Karasu River approximately 35 kilometers from the district center. The structure serves as a vital link between the two banks of the river, playing a key role in both transportation and geographical cohesion.

Constructed using cut stone and featuring a single-arch (single-span) design, the exact date of construction remains unknown. However, its architectural elements clearly reflect the characteristic features of traditional stone bridge architecture in the region. The bridge’s architectural simplicity and harmony with its natural surroundings are further enhanced by its association with a dramatic event deeply embedded in local historical memory.

Therefore, a Martyrs’ Monument has been erected near the bridge to honor those who lost their lives in the event. Beyond its functional and architectural roles, this monument imparts historical and emotional depth to the site, reminding visitors of the echoes of the past.

^{Acemoğlu Bridge}(Kemah Municipality)

Kemah Houses

Kemah cuisine stands out for its regional flavors. Products such as Dut molasses, pevler (aluça marmalade), rosehip gorabası, bastık, apple and pear gahı, basmaca, çemiç (dried mulberry), köme and tarhana are essential components of the district’s traditional cuisine. Additionally, the culture of the tandır oven and regional dishes reflect Kemah’s gastronomic richness.