ERZURUM MUSEUM
Erzurum Museum which was first founded at Double Minareted Medrese (old theological school) in 1942, moved to its new building in 1967. Its collection was put together with findings from excavations carried out at Erzurum and its environs, purchases, donations and confiscations. Today some of these items are displayed but the major part is still kept and protected in storage. The museum has two stories, with three halls for displays. Two of these halls are allocated to archaelogical and ethnographical pieces while the other is reserved for coins.

The larger part of the displayed archaeological items are the findings from tumulusus at Karaz, Pulur, Güzelova and the environs. These are followed by artifacts from Trans, Caucasian, Urartu and Classical periods. The exhibited ethnographic pieces are local costumes from the Ottoman period, jewelery, utensils, beddings, scissors, tobaco boxes and the like.

The displayed coins made from gold, silver and bronze belong to various periods (Abbasi, İlhanlı, Seljuk, Ottoman and Republican years ect. of Turkey) Two other sites, Üç Kümbetler (Three Vaults) and Erzurum Castle operate in connection with the Erzurum Museum Directorate.






Üç Kümbetler
(Three Vaults)

One of the three vaults which is placed on an octagonal plan is considered as belonging to Emir Saltuk, who was the founder of the Saltuk State. All three vaults are completely built from cutstones, but the identity of the other two are unknown. They have a special place among the vaults belonging to Turks with their original plans, the material used and their decorations.

Erzurum Castle

The Inner Castle which was built on a hill of 2000 m altitude was commissioned by Roman Emperor Teodosyus in the 5th century. It was used as military barracks by the Turks until recent years. Castle mosque and Clock Tower are important as they are the first examples of the period of the Turkish Architecture. The tower which is named Tepsi Minare was used as an observation tower in the middle ages. It was transformed into a clock tower during the barroque period of the Ottoman Architecture. It was built by Abu'l Muzafferüdin Gazi who reigned between 1124 - 1132. The small mosque (mesjidt) which is covered with a single large dome, displays typical features of Turkish Architecture.