Cankiri’s history dates back to between 3000 and 2500 BC, and it is located 131 kilometres (81 miles) from Ankara. In the third century BC, a Galatian hamlet called “Gangrea” existed here. Following their dominance, numerous tribes, including the Hittites, Pontus, Romans, Byzantines, up till the Seljuks and eventually the Ottomans, occupied the region, leaving behind remnants that may still be seen today.
Atatürk visited the city twice in 1925 as part of his reforms in Turkey because the city fought admirably throughout the War of Liberation. Rock tombs and underground passages can be found inside the 11th-century ruins of Cankiri Citadel. The Ulu Mosque in the city was constructed by renowned Turkish architect Mimar Sinan in the sixteenth century. The Tas Mescit, a 1235-built mediaeval hospital, is located not far from the city. Moreover, there are a number of Turkish baths from the Ottoman era that are worth seeing.
In the Cankiri Museum’s exhibition hall, archaeological and anthropological artefacts from the Neolithic, Calcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods are displayed alongside each other. Among the pieces on display are clay cans, bones, glasses, beads, tools and ornaments made of bronze, tear and essence bottles, medical equipment, oil lamps, needles, ring stones, and numerous sculpting components.
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The ethnographical portion of the museum also displays a variety of weavings, handicrafts, calligraphy, print moulds, clothing, weapons, ornamental instruments, and numerous works utilised in everyday life from Cankiri and its surrounds.
The Ilgaz Mountains, which are located to the north of the city and rise to a height of 2560 metres (8400 feet), stand out in this particular area of central Anatolia. With its snowy peaks and expansive woodland filled with wildlife, it is a genuine appeal for those who enjoy the outdoors and winter sports. Ilgaz National Park is among Turkey’s most stunning parks, and the ski resort’s luxurious, up-to-date amenities offer the best options for winter sports.