Amasya

Tomb

Looming above the northern bank of the river is a sheer rock face with the conspicuous rock-cut Tombs of the Pontic Kings. The tombs, chiselled deep into the limestone as early as the 4th century BC, were used for cult worship of the deified rulers. Up close, they aren't that impressive, and some are covered in graffiti and have a distinct whiff of urine. They're much more striking when viewed, as a whole, from the southern bank of the river.

Castle

Perched precariously atop rocky Mt Harşena, Amasya's kale (castle) offers magnificent views down the valley. The much-repaired walls date from Pontic times, perhaps around King Mithridates' reign, but a fort stood here from the early Bronze Age. Destroyed and rebuilt by several empires, it once had eight defensive layers descending 300m to the Yeşilırmak River and a tunnel with 150 steps cut into the mountain.

Museum

Amasya's museum packs in treasures from the Chalcolithic era up to the Byzantine age in its ground-floor galleries. Look out for the famous bronze statuette of Hittite storm god Teshup, which was unearthed locally. Upstairs, in the ethnographic section, a separate room holds the museum's highlight: a collection of mummies dating from the 14th-century İlkhan period. The bodies, mummified without removing the organs, were discovered beneath the Burmalı Minare Cami. They're not very suitable for squeamish or young eyes.

Mosque

The graceful Sultan Beyazıt II Cami (1486) is Amasya's largest külliye (mosque complex), with a medrese (seminary), fountain, imaret (soup kitchen) and library. With its white marble mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), minber (pulpit) and windows featuring kündekari (interlocking wooden carvings), the vast prayer room exudes a grand serenity. It's surrounded by manicured lawns that are a popular hang-out place with locals.

Museum

Built as a psychiatric hospital in 1309 by Ilduş Hatun, wife of the İlkhanid Sultan Olcaytu, the Darüşşifa (Bimarhane) may have been the first place to try to treat psychiatric disorders with music. It was used as a hospital until the 18th century. One of the most important physicians who worked here was Serefedin Sabuncuoğlu and today the hospital is a museum to his work displaying some rather terrifying surgical equipment along with fascinating (and rather graphic) treatment illustrations.

Mosque

The Gök Medrese Cami was built from 1266 to 1267 for Seyfettin Torumtay, the Seljuk governor of Amasya. The eyvan (vaulted recess) serving as its main portal is unique in Anatolia, while the kümbet (domed tomb) was once covered in gök (sky-blue) tiles, hence the name. A full restoration of the mosque began in 2017 and was still ongoing during our last visit, though was nearing its final phase so check if it's open again when you're in town.

Mosque

The pretty Mehmet Paşa Cami was built in 1486 by Lala Mehmet Paşa, tutor to Şehzade Ahmet, the son of Sultan Beyazıt II. It's rather simple inside but worth a look for the intricately carved minber (pulpit) and stained-glass-window details. The complex originally included the builder's tomb, an imaret (soup kitchen), tabhane (hospital), hamam and handan (inn).

Historic Building

The Hazeranlar Konağı, constructed in 1865 and restored in 1979, was built by Hasan Talat, the accountant of governor-poet Ziya Paşa, for his sister, Hazeran Hanım. The restored rooms are furnished in period style, with a refined feel to their chandeliers and carved wood. The Directorate of Fine Arts gallery in the basement has changing exhibitions.

Mosque

This Seljuk-era mosque was built between 1237 and 1247. Inside, the plain white, domed interior is offset by a very jazzy gold-coloured mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) framed by blue tiles. Outside, the single minaret with its spiral stone design is a later addition, having been added in the 17th century.