- published: 02 Aug 2015
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Tokat is the capital city of Tokat Province of Turkey, at the mid Black Sea region of Anatolia. According to the 2009 census, the city of Tokat has a population of 129,879.
Tokat was established in the Hittite era. During the time of king Mithradates VI of Pontus, it was one of his many strongholds in Asia Minor.
After the Battle of Manzikert the town, like most of Asia Minor, came under the control of the Seljuq Turks. However, after the death of Sultan Suleiman ibn Qutulmish in 1086 the Emir Danishmend Gazi took control of the area, operating from his power base in the town of Sivas. It would be many decades before the Seljuks took control of that region, in the reign of Kilij Arslan II.
After the battle of Battle of Köse Dağ the Seljuks hold over the region was lost, and local Emirs such as the Eretna took power until the rise of the Ottomans.
The most important landmark is the Ottoman Citadel, with 28 towers, founded on a rocky hill overlooking the town. Other sights include the Garipler Mosque dating to the 12th century and the Ali Paşa Mosque (16th century) and the Gök Medrese (Pervane Bey Darussifasi), which was constructed in 1270. It was founded as a school of theology, and is now converted into a museum, housing archaeological finds from the area.
Tokat Province (Turkish: Tokat ili) is a province in northern Turkey. Its adjacent provinces are Amasya to the northwest, Yozgat to the southwest, Sivas to the southeast, and Ordu to the northeast. Its capital is Tokat, which lies inland of the middle Black Sea region, 422 kilometers from Ankara.
Tokat province is divided into 12 districts (capital district in bold):
Two notable monuments in this province are the Hatuniye Medrese of the 15th century, built by Sultan Bayezid II, and a Seljuk bridge spanning the Yeşilırmak River, belonging to the 12th century. The Latifoğlu Mansion is a third, which is an example of the traditional architecture of a Turkish house of the 19th century, restored recently to its original state.
Tokat city center
Gök Medrese in Tokat
Polychrome tiles from Gök Medrese
Maşat Höyük, a Hittite archaeological site
Coordinates: 40°21′10″N 36°33′52″E / 40.35278°N 36.56444°E / 40.35278; 36.56444