A City at the Heart of Anatolian History
Few cities in Turkey carry the weight of history as visibly as Sivas. Known in antiquity as Sebasteia, the city served as a key administrative and commercial hub under the Romans and Byzantines before becoming one of the most important centres of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in the 12th and 13th centuries. Walking through its streets today, the Seljuk imprint is impossible to miss.
Sivas Under the Seljuks (1075–1308)
After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Seljuk Turks rapidly expanded across Anatolia. Sivas was incorporated into the Sultanate of Rum and quickly grew into a regional capital — a place of learning, trade, medicine, and architectural ambition. Sultans and viziers competed to leave lasting monuments, gifting the city with medreses (seminaries), caravanserais, and mosques of extraordinary quality.
Key Seljuk Monuments in Sivas
| Monument | Built | Commissioner | Current Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Şifaiye Medresesi | 1217 AD | Sultan İzzeddin Keykâvus I | Open monument / tomb |
| Gök Medrese | 1271 AD | Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali | Archaeological Museum |
| Buruciye Medresesi | 1271 AD | Muzaffereddin Burucerd | Cultural café / monument |
| Çifte Minareli Medrese | 1271 AD | İlhanlı Veziri Şemseddin Cuveyni | Open monument |
Architectural Characteristics of Seljuk Sivas
The Seljuk buildings of Sivas share a number of defining characteristics that set them apart from other medieval Islamic architecture:
- Taş işçiliği (stone carving): Portals are covered in extraordinarily detailed geometric, floral, and calligraphic reliefs, each unique and of exceptional quality.
- Twin minaret (çifte minare) form: A hallmark of the Seljuk style in Anatolia, framing monumental entrances with symmetrical towers.
- Open courtyard plan: Medreses were organised around a central courtyard open to the sky, with iwans (vaulted halls) on the cardinal sides.
- Functional integration: Buildings combined education, healthcare, and religious practice — the Şifaiye Medresesi, for example, was simultaneously a hospital, medical school, and mosque.
The Congress of Sivas (1919): A Modern Historical Milestone
Sivas' historical significance is not confined to the medieval period. In September 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk convened the pivotal Sivas Congress at what is now the Atatürk Congress and Ethnography Museum. This gathering unified Turkish resistance forces and laid the ideological groundwork for the Turkish War of Independence and the founding of the Republic of Turkey. The building is preserved as a museum and remains one of the most visited sites in the city.
Preserving the Heritage
Sivas' historic core is increasingly recognised as a living heritage zone. Restoration work on the Seljuk medreses has been ongoing, and several buildings have been given new cultural purposes — hosting exhibitions, concerts, and community events — ensuring they remain relevant to daily life rather than becoming frozen museum pieces.
Conclusion
The history of Sivas is a story of continuous reinvention — from Roman Sebasteia to Seljuk showcase, from Ottoman waypoint to birthplace of the Turkish Republic. Understanding this layered past makes every street corner in the city feel richer and every monument more resonant.