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Erzincan, a city in eastern Türkiye known mainly for its mountain landscape and winter tourism, has launched a new archeopark project aimed at bringing its long-buried historical layers back into public view and turning part of its old settlement area into an open-air museum.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the "Historic Erzincan Archeopark Project" was held in the city’s Beybagi neighborhood with the participation of Binali Yildirim, chair of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, known as the OTS, a regional body bringing together Turkic-speaking states.
The project seeks to uncover Erzincan’s thousands of years of history, protect its cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations, while also helping the city build up its role in history and culture tourism.
The archeopark is designed to make visible the historical layers of the city, from early periods through the Urartian, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
A major focus of the project is the historic urban fabric that largely disappeared after the devastating 1939 Erzincan earthquake. Following the disaster, the city was heavily damaged and later rebuilt in a different settlement area, leaving much of old Erzincan's historic identity buried or out of sight.
Through archaeological work, authorities aim to bring out this hidden past and reshape the area as an open-air museum where visitors can follow the city's development across different periods.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yildirim said the project would bring Erzincan's underground history back above ground and described it as one of the city's more meaningful initiatives.
He said Erzincan had a history of around 5,000 years, with nearly 1,000 years shaped by Turkish-Islamic civilization and earlier periods connected to other civilizations.
Yildirim also said the project would help protect historical heritage and give future generations a clearer understanding of the city's past.
Yildirim noted that archaeological excavations in the old settlement area would provide a more accurate picture of Erzincan's historical development.
According to the project plan, structures such as a mosque, tomb, castle and madrasa are expected to be uncovered and restored. The site is also planned to include walking paths, viewing terraces and areas for visitors to sit, eat and drink.
Yildirim said these additions would help Erzincan stand out not only for winter and nature tourism, but also as a center for history and culture tourism.
After the speeches, Yildirim and protocol members symbolically struck the first pickaxe at the excavation site.
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