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Bayburt
Bayburt
	Location of Bayburt within Turkey.
	Coordinates: 40°15′N 40°13′E / 40.25°N 40.217°E
Country	Turkey
Region	Black Sea
Province	Bayburt
	Government
- Mayor	Hacı Ali POLAT (Justice and Development Party)
	Area
- Total	3,652 km2 (1,410 sq mi)
Elevation	1,550 m (5,085 ft)
	Population []
- Total	87,745
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	69x xx
Area code(s)	0458
Licence plate	69
Website	http://www.bayburt-bld.gov.tr

Bayburt (comes from Armenian: Բաբերդ (Baberd) suffix "-berd", meaning "fort") is a city in northeast Turkey lying on the Çoruh River, and is the provincial capital of Turkey's Bayburt Province.

Bayburt was once an important center on the ancient Silk Road and it was visited by Marco Polo and Turkish excursionist Evliya Celebi. Remains of its Byzantine castle still exist. There are several interesting mosques, Turkish baths and tombstones in the city as well as the Catalcesme Underground City and the natural wonder Sirakayalar Waterfall.

[edit] History

The exact date for foundation of Bayburt is unknown. However, it is estimated around 100 BC. It is well-known that Bayburt is occupied by Roman Empire and after its division became a part of Eastern Romans. During the Byzantine age, Bayburt was a part of state (dependent state to Byzantine) called Heldia which was 4th of separate seven division. It is also known Bayburt castle is repaired by the Byzantine King Justinian I and later on invaded by Arabs. Turks took the control of the area first at 1054, and next 200 years it was occupied by many different empires.

[edit] Bayburt Castle

The history of Bayburt Castle dates back to 2000 BCE, although we still don't know who first established it. The castle is being renovated by Turkish Ministry of Culture.Bayburt

[edit] Mosques

There are several interesting mosques. Ulu Camii, which is generally considered as one of the most important mosques in the region, was made by Ghiyath ad-Din Mas'ud II, the ruler of the Sultanate of Rûm. The mosque was restored completely in 1967. Another important mosque in the city is the Ferahşat Bey Mosque which was made by the White Sheep Turkomans in 1507. With its single dome, the mosque is a good example for the Turkish Anatolian mosque architecture. On the other hand, Yakutiye Mosque, which was completed in 1915, thanks to the association between the people of Bayburt, is one of the best examples of the late Ottoman buildings.

Historical remainings

[edit] Sights and Activities

[edit] Parks and Nature

Bayburt has many delightful parks and open spaces like "Gençlik Parkı" (Youth Park), "Şehit Nusret Bahçesi" (Martyr Nusret Gardens) and "Genç Osman Parkı" . The city has 535.780m² of nursery areas, where young plants are raised for the forests of Bayburt. Also there are two caves that visitors can see the interesting natural shapes of the stones. These caves are, "Çimağıl Mağarası" and "Helva Köyü Buz Mağarası".

[edit] Universities

Bayburt University is located at the center of the city, university has several faculties such as Engineering, Arts and Sciences and Administrative Sciences. There are also several vocational schools.

[edit] Transportation

"Bayburt Otobus Terminali", located in the south of the city, is the main port to Bayburt.

[edit] Sports

The city has one football club currently competing in the Turkish Amateur Football Championship, struggling for promotion to the Turkish Third League, called Bayburtspor. She played old Second League between 1986-1988.