Amasya City Map

History Shortcut

The Name Of Amasya

There had been founder (ktistes) gods or heros in many Anatolian cities during the Prehistoric time. Amasya is one of them.

Amasya’s name is coming from “Amasseia”;The word Amaseia means “Ana” ( mother) and ‘Ama’ especially aims to “The Mother Goddess” and it is related with the ‘Ma’ expression which is the variation of “Ama”. So, we can say that Amaseia means “The city of The Mother Goddess Ma”.

Bronze Age
It is known that there was a dense population in Amsya in the first period of bronze age (3000-2500 BC). Yassı Tumulus in Amasya Centre, Sallar Tumulus in GümüÅŸhacıköy county, Tepe Tumulus in Merzifon county, Gediksaray Tumulus in Göynücek county, Türkmenlik Tepe Tumulus in Alakadı village and Kayadüzü Tumulus in Merzifon county can be given as the main examples.

Hellenistic Age
At the Issus War taking place in B.C. 333, the Persian forces were defeated against the Great Alexandra , and many parts of Anatolia except for the North Cappadocia Region in which Amasya is located came under the rule of the Macedonian Kingdom, thereby starting a period known as Hellenistic Age and imposing its influence mostly in terms of culture and art. That period is the one which is a synthesis of eastern and western beliefs and cultures.

Roman Period
Amasya, in this period, was an important city which was the metropolis of the Mitridates Glaticus Region. In B.C. 25 ,the Emperor Augustus (B.C. 27- A.D.14) founded the Provincia Galatia and joined the Mitridates Region and several others to this province.
Beginning from the reign of Emperor Domitianus (A.D.81-96) until that of Severus Alexandra (A.D.222-235) , the city coins were known to be minted in Amasya. Now, most of these coins are included in the coin collection of Amasya Museum.

Ottoman Period
That Amasya was named “Shahzadahs’ City” in the Ottoman history was due to the fact that many shahzadahs were brought up here. Among these shahzadahs were the ones who later succeeded to the throne such as Çelebi Sultan Mehmet, II.Murat, Fatih Sultan Mehmet and II. Beyazid. In addition, it is known that there were shahzadahs who carried out their duties and then died in Amasya.

Historical Places

Amasya Castle (Citadel)

Amasya Castle was built on HarÅŸena Mountain as it was the most suitable place to defend the city. The inner part is made of hewn stone and ramparts are made of unhewn stone. The castle has an eight-level defence. From the beginning of the early Bronze Age (B.C.3200) to the end of the Ottoman Period, it was used for defence.

Kaleköy Castle

On the cliffs to the north of Kaleköy at the 4th km of the gravel road after going north at the 24th km of Amasya-Tokat road is the Kaleköy Castle.

It was built in order to provide security for the caravan road passing through the district in the Roman Period.

Gökçeli Castle

Overlooking Çekerek Valley, the castle is on a cliff to the 1km north-east of Gökçeli Village to the 8km north-west of Göynücek Town. It was used as a military post in the Roman Period.

Baraklı Castle

To the south of Özbaraklı District of TaÅŸova, the castle is 2 km far away. It was used to provide security of the caravans passing through the district in the Roman Period.

Traditional Hand Made Arts

Carpet and Kilim Weaving

Carpet wieving has recently started to give help to the area’s economy again. Carpet wieving is being done in Yassical town and Sariyar Village.

Tin Samovar

As local area people have the habit of drinking tea, producing samovar has been improved. Producing different sizes of samovars special for Amasya area is going on.

Waistcloth, Bed Sheet Weaving

They are weaved in Merzifon area with as known whipped loom. Especially bed sheet, table cloth, waist cloth are weaved different types and designs

Needle Embroidery

It is made all over the area. It’s been got rich especially embroidering Scarf, collar flower, handkerchief, foulard, wallet etc.

Wood Arts

With the art of carwing and wood arts different from musical instruments (saz,kanun,ud,etc)differnet kinds of farming tools and home furniture are made.

Kırnap - Rope Spinning

It is a hand made art used especially in Gumushacikoy area more than others. By the ropes spinned with hemp or goat hair with named "kırnap" by the local people sack, kilim, saddle bag, bag and ropes with different thickness are made.

Hot Iron

It is produced as a iron axe, hatchet, adz, trivet, knife and etc.

Now Amasya Picture in Picture Factory

See also Strabon; the first geographer of the World