Having hosted various civilizations throughout history, Divriği attracts attention with its important architectural structures. Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital, Kale Mosque and mansions, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are among the structures worth seeing in the region.
Strategic Location and Restoration Works
Divriği Castle was built in 1230 and is located on a high hill in the east of the district. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the castle protects Divriği while also serving as a defense against external threats. The castle is also known as the “Unconquerable Turkish Castle”. After restoration work began in 2006, Divriği Castle was opened to visitors.
Archaeological Excavations and Historical Data
Archaeological excavations carried out in Divriği Castle revealed the existence of settlement areas within the castle. The information about the castle in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname was also confirmed as a result of the excavations. The water cisterns, granaries and palace ruins found within the castle show the historical importance and wealth of Divriği Castle.
Archaeological studies also shed light on the history of Divriği and the general history of Anatolia. The objects from the Urartian period found in Divriği Castle can take the history of the region back to an even earlier period. Divriği’s emergence on the historical stage dates back to the Paulician period and the Mengücek Principality’s contributions to the district are important. Over time, the district came under Byzantine and Ottoman rule.
