Sulusaray is a district located in the southwest of Tokat province. It gained district status in 1990. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main sources of livelihood in the district. In addition, the developing tourism sector, thanks to thermal springs, contributes to the regional economy.
Sulusaray (Tokat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)
History
The foundation of Sulusaray's historical identity is based on the ancient city of Sebastapolis (Latin “Sebasto”—great, “polis”—city) established here in ancient times. Although the exact date of the ancient city's establishment is not certain, some sources date it to the 1st century BC. During the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan (98–117 AD), it was separated from the Pontus Galaticus and Polemoniacus provinces and included in the Cappadocia province. Inscriptions from the Trajanic period were erected in the name of the governor of Cappadocia, Arrian. Some sources state that the city was previously called Heracleopolis (“city of Heracles”); Heracles is mentioned as a symbol of power and strength in ancient mythology.
Archaeological soundings conducted on the mound where Sulusaray district is built have revealed settlement layers from the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC), Hittite Period (2nd millennium BC), and Phrygian Period (first half of the 1st millennium BC). It is understood from the city wall remains, street layouts, bath, and church structures that the ancient city was also inhabited during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
Following the Malazgirt Victory in 1071, the region came under the rule of the Danishmends, and at the beginning of the 12th century, it was incorporated into the borders of the Seljuk Sultanate. During the disintegration process of the Anatolian Seljuk State, it passed through the administrations of the Ilkhanate, Eretna Beylik, and Kadı Burhaneddin; in 1392, it was included in Ottoman territory. The district, recorded as “Sebastapolis” or “Sulusaray” in Ottoman cadastral registers, was elevated to the status of a sub-district center in the Ottoman administrative structure in the late 19th century.
In the Republican era, on May 20, 1990, while it was a town dependent on Artova, it officially gained district status. The name of the district was changed to “Sulusaray” referring to the area where hot water springs, preserved from Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, continue to exist.
Geography and Climate
Sulusaray is a settlement located 69 km from Tokat city center, 30 km from Artova, 11 km from Yeşilyurt; at 40° N, 36° E coordinates; and 1,030 m above sea level. The district is surrounded by Artova to the north, Yeşilyurt to the east, Kadışehri of Yozgat to the west, and Yıldızeli of Sivas to the south, situated on a plain by the Çekerek Stream. The district center and village settlements are spread out on alluvial plains in the plain floor. The mountain ridges in the north form narrow plateaus descending into the valley, composed of limestone and andesitic lava slopes. The soil cover is alluvial sandy-loamy soil suitable for agriculture in the plain, and forested oak, Scots pine, and plane tree communities in the highlands. Sulusaray is in the transition zone between the Black Sea climate and the Inner Anatolian continental climate. Winter months are cold and snowy; summer months are hot and dry. According to three-year meteorological averages, the annual total precipitation ranges from 400–450 mm, distributed over winter and spring months. Summer rainfall decreases to its lowest level during June–August. Average temperatures range from –4 °C–5 °C in January to 18 °C-20 °C in July. The average relative humidity is 55%; prevailing winds blow from the northeast in winter months and from the southwest in summer months.
Population and Demography
The population of Sulusaray district, which was 9,595 in 2007, decreased to 6,880 by 2024. During this period, the highest value was measured as 9,863 in 2008, and the lowest value was recorded as 6,533 in 2022. An increase in the total population was observed in the years 2007–2008 (+268), 2014–2015 (+607), 2015–2016 (+168), 2018–2019 (+197), 2022–2023 (+165), and 2023–2024 (+182); in other years, decreases were observed at varying rates. According to 2024 data, the district's population consists of 3,488 men (50.70%) and 3,392 women (49.30%).
Economy
Official data indicate that Sulusaray's economy is predominantly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Wheat, barley, and legumes are grown in irrigated areas of the plain. In dry farming, cereal varieties such as rye and sainfoin are sown. The soil structure, which is sometimes stony and low in mineral content, limits productivity levels. The Çekerek Stream near Sulusaray Bridge provides possibilities for irrigated agriculture through irrigation canals. Small ruminant breeding is widespread in the region. The limited number of pasture areas restricts the grazing share per animal. Small-scale milk and meat production contribute to rural family economies.
There are no large-scale industrial facilities in the district. Agricultural production and trade support are provided through agricultural cooperatives, agricultural credit, and artisan credit cooperatives in the district. The ancient city and thermal spring facilities, which have tourism potential, cannot generate economic value due to the lack of suitable operating conditions. The lack of social facilities, cultural centers, and modern accommodation limits the formation of the service sector. These conditions tighten the labor market and lead to external migration.
Tourism, Culture, and Cuisine
Tourism and Cultural Heritage
• Ancient City of Sebastapolis: Located on the mound in the district center; a multi-layered settlement including Early Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine layers. Baths, churches, and fragments uncovered in sounding and salvage excavations are exhibited in the open-air museum.
• Sulusaray Bridge: A multi-arch stone bridge over the Çekerek Stream; likely built during the Byzantine or Seljuk period, bearing traces of transportation history.
• Çermik Önü–Ilıca Thermal Spring: A hot water spring emerging from within the ancient city ruins; the sodium chloride, sulfate bicarbonate water has a temperature ranging from 32 °C to 44.3 °C. The thermal spring has been continuously used from Roman to Ottoman times.
Cultural Infrastructure
Official publications state that there are no cinemas, bookstores, conference halls, social facilities, or similar cultural amenities in the district; cultural activities are limited to sports and entertainment. The fact that the entire ancient city has not been unearthed limits its historical tourism potential.
Cuisine
There is no information in official sources regarding Sulusaray's unique culinary practices. The local population consumes pastries, bulgur pilaf, legume soups, and dairy products based on the grains and legumes produced. Revitalizing thermal tourism could provide a platform for promoting local regional products.
