Sulusaray (District)

Sulusaray is a district located in the southwest of Tokat Province. It gained district status in 1990. Agriculture and livestock breeding are the primary sources of livelihood in the district. Additionally, the developing tourism sector, thanks to thermal springs, contributes to the regional economy.

Sulusaray (Tokat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

History

The historical identity of Sulusaray is rooted in the ancient city of Sebastapolis, established in antiquity, from which the name derives—“Sebasto” meaning great and “polis” meaning city in Latin. Although the exact founding date of the ancient city remains uncertain, some sources date it to the 1st century BCE. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (98–117 CE), it was incorporated into the province of Cappadocia, having previously belonged to the provinces of Pontus Galaticus and Polemoniacus. Inscriptions from Trajan’s era were erected in the name of Arrian, the governor of Cappadocia. Some sources indicate that the city was previously known as Heracleopolis, meaning “city of Heracles,” who was revered in ancient mythology as a symbol of strength and power.

Archaeological excavations conducted on the hill upon which Sulusaray is built have revealed settlement layers from the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BCE), the Hittite period (2nd millennium BCE), and the Phrygian period (first half of the 1st millennium BCE). The ancient city was also inhabited during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, as evidenced by remnants of walls, street layouts, baths, and churches.

Following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the region came under the control of the Danişmendids and was incorporated into the borders of the Seljuk Sultanate in the early 12th century. During the decline of the Anatolian Seljuk State, it passed through the administrations of the Ilkhanids, the Eretna Beylik, and Kadı Burhaneddin, before being incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1392. The settlement, recorded in Ottoman tax registers as either “Sebastapolis” or “Sulusaray,” rose to the status of a subdistrict center in the late 19th century within the Ottoman administrative structure.

During the Republican period, Sulusaray was officially granted district status on 20 May 1990, having previously been a village under Artova. The district’s name was adopted from the thermal springs that have persisted since the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.

Geography and Climate

Sulusaray is a settlement situated at 40° N, 36° E, 69 km from the center of Tokat Province, 30 km from Artova, and 11 km from Yeşilyurt, at an elevation of 1,030 meters above sea level. The district is bordered by Artova to the north, Yeşilyurt to the east, Kadışehri of Yozgat to the west, and Yıldızeli of Sivas to the south, and lies on a plain alongside the Çekerek River. The district center and village settlements spread across alluvial flatlands of the plain. The northern mountain ridges form narrow plateaus descending into the valley, composed of limestone and andesitic lava. The soil cover consists of alluvial sandy-loamy soils suitable for agriculture in the plain, while higher elevations are covered by forests of oak, pine, and plane trees. Sulusaray lies within the transition zone between the Black Sea climate and the continental climate of Central Anatolia. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are hot and dry. According to three-year meteorological averages, annual precipitation ranges between 400 and 450 mm, distributed mainly in winter and spring. Summer rainfall reaches its lowest levels between June and August. Average temperatures range from –4 °C to 5 °C in January and 18 °C to 20 °C in July. The average relative humidity is 55 percent; prevailing winds blow from the northeast in winter and from the southwest in summer.

Population and Demographics

The population of Sulusaray district was 9,595 in 2007 and declined to 6,880 by 2024. The highest population recorded during this period was 9,863 in 2008, while the lowest was 6,533 in 2022. Population increases were observed in the years 2007–2008 (+268), 2014–2015 (+607), 2015–2016 (+168), 2018–2019 (+197), 2022–2023 (+165), and 2023–2024 (+182); declines occurred in other years at varying rates. According to 2024 data, the population consists of 3,488 males (50.70 percent) and 3,392 females (49.30 percent).

Economy

Official data indicate that the Sulusaray economy is predominantly based on agriculture and livestock breeding.

Wheat, barley, and legumes are cultivated in irrigated areas of the plain. Cereals such as rye and korunga are grown under dry farming conditions. The partial stoniness and low mineral content of the soil limit productivity. Irrigation is provided through canals from the Çekerek River near Sulusaray Bridge, enabling irrigated agriculture. Small-scale livestock farming is common in the region. The limited number of pasture areas restricts the amount of grazing land per animal. Small-scale milk and meat production contributes to rural household economies.

The district has no large-scale industrial facilities. Agricultural production and trade are supported through agricultural cooperatives, agricultural credit cooperatives, and artisan guarantee cooperatives. The ancient city and spa facilities, which hold tourism potential, do not generate economic value due to the lack of suitable operational conditions. The absence of social facilities, cultural centers, and modern accommodation options limits the development of the service sector. These conditions tighten the labor market and contribute to outward migration.

Tourism, Culture and Cuisine

Tourism and Cultural Assets

•Sebastapolis Ancient City: Located on a hill in the district center, it is a multi-layered settlement encompassing Early Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine strata. Baths, churches, and artifacts uncovered during excavations and rescue digs are displayed in an open-air museum.

•Sulusaray Bridge: A multi-arched stone bridge spanning the Çekerek River, likely constructed during the Byzantine or Seljuk period, preserving traces of the region’s transportation history.

•Çermik Önü–Ilıca Spa: A hot spring emerging from within the ancient city ruins; the water is sodium chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate-rich, with temperatures ranging from 32 °C to 44.3 °C. The spa has been continuously used from Roman times through the Ottoman period.

Cultural Infrastructure

Official publications state that the district lacks cinemas, bookstores, conference halls, social facilities, or similar cultural amenities. Cultural activities are limited to sports and entertainment. The incomplete excavation of the ancient city restricts its potential for historical tourism.

Cuisine

Official sources provide no information on distinct culinary practices of Sulusaray. The local population primarily consumes grain and legume-based dishes such as pastries, bulgur pilaf, legume soups, and dairy products. Reviving spa tourism could create opportunities for promoting local regional products.