Pasinler (District)

East of Erzurum province lies the district of Pasinler, situated on a vast plain surrounded by areas of scattered sweet or steep slopes. Pasinler, a historical settlement located along the Silk Road, is known for its fertile plains, hot springs, and historical structures. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary sources of livelihood for the local population. The district center was historically known as Hasankale, named after the settlement, and is located approximately 40 kilometers from the Erzurum city center.

Pasinler-Hasankale Castle (Source: Directorate of Religious Affairs)

History

The history of Pasinler-Hasankale, the center of the Lower and Upper Pasin villages, extends back to the 4000s BCE. During the Urartian period, Pasinler was a settlement that came under the control of the Oghuz Turks following invasions from Anatolia on beginning in the 9th century BCE, and later passed into the hands of the Turkic rulers of Erzurum. The 1048 Battle of Pasinler holds great significance in Anatolian history. In this battle, Ibrahim Yınal, governor of the Great Seljuk State, led his army forces to defeat the Byzantine army and brought Anatolia and Hasankale under Turkish control. This victory marked the first major success of the Turks seeking to establish their homeland in Anatolia and laid important groundwork for the eventual triumph at the 1071 Battle of Manzikert. For this reason, the Pasinler Victory has been officially commemorated with ceremonies in the district since 18 September 2017.

Following the invasions into Anatolia and the victory at Manzikert, Hasankale fully came under Turkish control and fell within the dominion of the Saltukids, as was the case in Erzurum and its surroundings. In 1202, Hasankale was incorporated into the Anatolian Seljuk State. After the Seljuks’ defeat at the Battle of Köse Dağ, it passed under the rule of the Ilkhanids, followed by the Sutayids. The castle of Hasankale, built on a hill south of Hasan Father Mountain by Hacı Togay’s son Hasan of the Sutayids, replaced the former Kaputrut Castle. As Hasan was buried within the castle walls, the site came to be known as Hasan Castle. After the Sutayid period, Hasankale successively came under the rule of the Kara Koyunlu, Timurids, Ak Koyunlu, Safavids, and finally the Ottomans. Its location along the Eastern-West migration and trade trade routes gave it considerable importance.

During the Ottoman Empire, Hasankale experienced both development and conflict. With the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the First World World War in 1914, it became a defensive front against Russian offensives into Eastern Anatolia and played a logistical role during the Sarıkamış Campaign. It also served as a site for hospitals of the Third Army. Although it suffered Russian occupation during the 1877–1878 Russo-Ottoman War, its most severe impacts occurred between 1914 and 1920. Following the Ottoman defeat and retreat from Sarıkamış, Hasankale was occupied by Russian forces. Serious losses occurred in Hasankale and environment villages due to actions by Armenian militias fighting alongside the Russian army. Between 1915 and 1920, civilians in the region, including those from Hasankale, were targeted based on ethnic identity. The greatest casualties occurred in Yastıktepe (Ketvan), Yeniköy, Tımar Eğilmez (Sülügü), and the district of today Köprüköy. Liberation from Armenian occupation occurred on 13 March 1918. In 1952, the name Hasankale was changed to Pasinler. Subsequently, in 1954 and 1991, Horasan and Köprüköy were separated from Pasinler to become districts in their own right.

Geography

Pasinler is located in Eastern Anatolia between 41° 40’ 54” east longitude and 39° 58’ 53” north latitude. Its area is 1,460 km². It is bordered by Tortum and Uzundere to the north, Köprüköy to the east, Erzurum to the west, and Karayazı and Tekman to the south. To the north lie the Kargapazarı Mountains, and to the south the Dikenli and Mine Mountains, extensions of the Palandöken range. Between these two mountain chains lies the Pasinler Plain. The total drainage area of the Pasinler Plain is 1,420 km². Tributaries flowing from all directions feed the Hasankale Çayı, which runs through the district center and flows year-round. The tea, flowing west to east, empties into the Aras River near Çobandede. The district’s terrain bears traces of internal and external forces active during geological periods. The region’s hot water springs are also evidence of these internal forces. Compared to Erzurum, Pasinler experiences hotter summers and colder winters, resulting in a more pronounced continental climate. The elevation difference between the plain and surrounding mountainous areas is approximately 1,500 meters. The major valleys in the district are those of the Tımar Çayı and Miyadin Çayı. The Demirdöven Dam is located in the Tımar Çayı Valley. The Pasinler Plain, forming the base of the Pasinler Basin, covers approximately 350 km². It is separated from the Erzurum Plain by the volcanic Deveboynu Pass (1,950 m) and is an alluvial graben at an elevation of 1,600–1,700 meters.

Pasinler (Source: Encyclopedia of Erzurum)

Climate

A continental climate judgment prevails in Pasinler. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snow with significant precipitation. Annual average temperatures are low. During Winter months, temperatures frequently fall below zero and snow cover can be long duration persistent. Spring and autumn months are mild transitional periods.

Population and Demographics

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) 2017 Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) data, the population of Pasinler district is 29,302. A significant portion of this population resides in Hasankale, the district center. Compared to other districts of Erzurum, Pasinler has a relatively dense population. However, in recent years, migration from rural areas to the district center and larger cities has been observed.

Economy

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main sources of livelihood in Pasinler district. Grain cultivation is widespread across the extensive plains. In recent years, significant developments have occurred in livestock farming, particularly in meat and dairy production, alongside traditional agriculture.

Tourism – Culture – Cuisine

Pasinler is a region open to tourism due to its thermal springs and historical sites. The culture of Hasankale has historically been linked to Erzurum in the fields of education and culture, evolving into a center of cultural exchange.

Pasinler Hot Springs

Pasinler district hosts numerous hot springs, which are valued for their economic and social contributions. The thermal services and accommodation facilities serve a regional clientele. Some of the renovated thermal facilities in Pasinler include the Nenehatun Thermal Spa along the Erzurum road and the Kale Tourist Hotel thermal baths in the district center. The water temperature in these facilities ranges from 41 to 46 °C. Approximately 40,000 to 45,000 visitors use these springs annually, with a significant portion arriving during the summer season.

The oldest hot spring in Pasinler is the Great Bath, constructed in 1390 and renovated in 1749 and 1892. Its water temperature ranges from 40 to 41 °C, allowing 100 to 150 people to bathe simultaneously, with an annual visitor count reaching approximately 300,000. The Small Bath, with water temperature of 32 to 33 °C, accommodates 90 to 100 bathers at once and receives 150,000 to 160,000 visitors annually. The Pasinler Hot Springs are located in the district center, along the Erzurum-Tehran international transit route, within the boundaries of Pasinler municipality. The spa complex is situated at the foot of Hasanbaba Mountain, north of the Pasinler Plain, at an elevation of 1,869 meters above sea sea level. Access to the spa is provided via the Erzurum-Tehran international transit highway. It is 40 kilometers from Erzurum Airport and connected by rail to the train station in the district center. The chemical composition of the spring water is bicarbonate (50.42 milliequivalents), chloride (46.74), sodium (71.56 milliequivalents), and carbon dioxide (423.8 mg/l), partially radioactive (1,308 poi/l), and contains metaboric acid (37.66 mg/l). The total mineralization is 4,051 mg/l dissolved minerals. The water temperature ranges from 39 to 45 °C.

Hasankale

The castle, built on Hasan Dede Mountain in the district center, derives its name from Hasan, son of Hacı Togay, a Sutayid chief of Mongol origin, and was historically known as Hasan Castle. During the historic 1048 Battle of Pasinler, the Seljuk State captured the castle after defeating Byzantine forces.