The history of Erzurum "Theodosiópolis" ; Erzurum is a very characteristic city in eastern Turkey and located on the silk road between Turkey and Iran. The Erzurum fortress made by Theodosius in the 5th century was conquered first by the Arabs in 653, then by the Seljuk Turks, Ottomans, and Russians (1829, 1878, and 1916–18). In the battles of Sarikamis, more than 60,000 soldiers of the Ottoman army died from the cold in the mountains of Sarikamis. In 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk presided over the first Turkish national congress in Erzurum.
Ulu Cami (The Holy Mosque) ; It was built in 1179 during the reign of Melik Nasirüddin Muhammed of the Turkish kingdom Saltukogullari. The mosque is also called "Atabey" because it was built in honor of Atabeg Kızıl Arslan, the Iraqi Seljuk sultan.
Yakutiye Medresesi ; The Yakutiye Medresesi scientific school of the Turkish kingdom of Ilhanli in 1310 and is the largest Madrasa in Turkey.
The Madrasa of Cifte Minareli ; It was built by Hudavent Hatun, daughter of the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I in 1253, it is one of the masterpieces of Anatolian art.
Gastronomy and Crafts in Erzurum ; Cağ kebabı is a horizontally stacked variety of rotating lamb kebab (meat food). This uniquely prepared kebab has become a trademark of Erzurum. The town of Oltu near Erzurum is famous for the extraction of the semi-precious stone of Oltu (also called "jet stone" or "black amber"). Jet is a shiny black mineraloid that is used as a semi-precious stone for making jewelry. It is made from tree trunks of the Araucaráceas families.
The "cittaslow" Uzundere ; Erzurum is surrounded by mountains and rivers like Karasu (Euphrates), Aras and Coruh. One of the natures that surround Erzurum is the Uzundere district. Tortum Waterfall, Tortum Lake, historic churches of Georgian architecture, ancient bridges, green plains and beautiful forests. The Tortum waterfall, 21 meters wide and 48 meters high, is the largest in Turkey.
The Osvank church ; It is located in the Camlıyamac village near Uzundere. It is famous for its colorful stone ornaments and relief figures. It was built by Magistras Bağrat, during the Georgian dynasty between 963 - 973. Grigor de Osk, the architect of the Osvank church is also Georgian.
Sarıkamıs and Palandoken Ski Center ; Erzurum is also prepared for winter tourism and kayaking and offers long slopes in the ski center of Palandoken City of Erzurum has organized the European Youth Olympic Festival winter 2017.