"Sweet Sivas" Top 5 Page for this destination Sivas by Tijavi

Sivas Travel Guide: 79 reviews and 169 photos

Like its famed baklava, Sivas is tough on the outside, but exudes a melt-in-your-mouth sweet taste once you had a bite. Coming from laidback Amasra and stunning Amasya, my first impressions of Sivas were of utter dismay - modern, industiral city devoid of the charms that were characteristic of Amasra and Amasya.

But as soon as I stepped out of my hotel and explored its attractions, the city, just like the baklava's beguiling sweetness, started to wield its magic.

The Seljuk masterpieces, with their incredibly intricate doorways, took me to a period earlier than the Ottoman attractions of Safranbolu and Amasya. The Sivas museum made me fully appreciate modern Turkish history and how one man's determination and dream changed the course (and some say, curse) of a nation's destiny. And Divrigi will be an experience never to be forgotten.

On top of all these, Sivas' people were as friendly and generous and kind and giving as their fellow Turks were in other places I've been to.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Seljuk masterpieces and awesome Divrigi
Cons:Industrial character of the city
In a nutshell:A great taste of ancient and modern Turkish history

Last visit to Sivas: Jun 2006
Intro Updated Dec 19, 2006
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Reviews (14)

Take a walk around the city Off The Beaten Path (2)

Sivas is such a compact city that you could finish the main attractions (excluding Divrigi, which you have to allot a... more travel advice

Arguably, best place to go for local cuisine - Sivas

Arguably, best place to go for local... Restaurants (3)

This full service restaurant, recommended by the concierge, offers some of the best local dishes I've tried. I ordered... more travel advice

Ulu Cami and its leaning minaret Things to Do (6)

Its religious significance and age (built in 1197) aside, there is nothing great in Sivas's Great Mosque (Ulu Cami). But... more travel advice

Gawk at the Gok Medrese Things to Do (6)

Translated the Blue Seminary, the Gok Medrese is another fine piece of Seljuk architecture. It derives its name from the... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Getting to Divrigi

Hotels (1)
A "promising" 4-star hotel

Comments (11)

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kokoryko Mar 30, 2012 at 1:02 PM

The Seldjuk minarets are really impressive, and you show it Titus! I was looking for the salt ponds of Sivas; I will have to do something. . ;)) Off to Ankara next week, but only work ;(( Best from here where the spring seems to be on a hurry this year.
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fabrice Jan 23, 2011 at 12:33 AM

very rich architecture
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Trekki Oct 10, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Marvellous!! I realise now that I actually like the muqanas a bit better when they are not painted or gilded, the elaborate stonework is much better to admire when they are left plain. Ulu Cami and Darussifa are breathtaking!!
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calcaf38 Sep 15, 2007 at 4:46 PM

Thank you for dropping by my Laos page. This Sivas page is wonderful. So many great photos, and well written, generous tips. You certainly understand and love Turkey.
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toonsarah Jul 30, 2007 at 7:21 AM

Excellent tips! I enjoyed reading about the various styles of architecture, and your photos complement your writings so well. I'd never heard of Divrigi but it looks and sounds amazing!
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ozalp Jun 15, 2007 at 11:09 PM

I love to read about Turkey with your words and this is a wonderful page. I had a friend in university from Divrigi. I wonder what he is doing now. Thanks for reminding me old friends.
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nickandchris Apr 17, 2007 at 2:14 PM

Incredible info and the details on the buildings are beautiful. Looks a wonderful place.
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magor65 Feb 10, 2007 at 8:13 AM

I love your writing-style - it's so vivid. Also the pictures are excellent and the place is definitely worth visiting.
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deecat Jul 12, 2006 at 12:00 PM

Fascinating. I just adored the photo of the three old men in Divrigi!! I have a photo I took in Spain that is similar and I had it enlarged and framed. Great pages again.
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DSwede Jul 5, 2006 at 5:38 AM

Ah, the wonderful pages are starting again. Never made it out that far east. The Ulucami in Bursa is also very famous.