Üzümlü: Nature, Cimin Grapes and History

Üzümlü has many sides: the town centre is clustered around the Cimin Stream, important picnic areas lie within its boundaries, and the town has its own cuisine. Çaho’nun Gölü offers views of the Erzincan Plain. Çamlık stands out for its natural vegetation and cold spring waters, while Dereboğazı is notable for its natural landscape. If you are considering whether Üzümlü is right for your trip, these places offer different points of interest—from views across the plain to a landscape area with spring water.

Landscape and Getting Your Bearings in Üzümlü

The three picnic areas lie within the boundaries of the town centre. Each has its own distinctive features: the focus at Çaho’nun Gölü is the view of the Erzincan Plain, while Çamlık is characterised by its vegetation and cold spring waters. Dereboğazı stands out for its natural landscape. These differences help you understand the town’s landscape features rather than reducing Üzümlü to a single attraction. There is also a point of reference for getting your bearings in the wider region: the town lies approximately 5 km north of the E-80 highway.

Mosque, Inscription and Rock-Cut Tombs

Akkoyunlu Mosque is located in the town centre. According to its inscription, it was built in 1301 by İncili oğlu Emir Say. Following severe earthquakes that particularly affected the Erzincan Basin, the mosque was completely destroyed and rebuilt in 1965 as part of a restoration. The minaret was built in 1997 and consists of carefully worked ashlar stones. At the şerefe (balcony), diamond, rose and carnation motifs can be seen in traditional Turkish-Islamic stone ornamentation. Several distinct periods of the mosque’s history come together here: its construction, as recorded in the inscription, its reconstruction and the later addition of the minaret. The stone motifs offer a particular point of interest if you are interested in regional architecture.

Another historical trace lies east of the town centre: Şeyh Karpuz Mağarası is located to the left of a path leading to Köy Tepesi. Two rock-cut tombs containing sarcophagi are situated there. The cave and tombs present an archaeological theme distinct from the mosque’s architectural and epigraphic history. If you are interested in different forms of cultural heritage, you can consider these features alongside one another when exploring Üzümlü, without treating them as a single route.

Cimin Üzümü and Üzümlü’s Cuisine

Üzümlü can also be discovered through its flavours and textures. Cimin Üzümü has a characteristically tart taste and an almost zero sugar content. The grapes are recognisable by the distinctive bloom on the berries and their very thin skin. The berry melts in your mouth as you eat it. The Cimin grape described here is therefore distinctive not only in taste but also in its striking appearance and texture. For anyone who enjoys discovering regional foods and what makes them unique while travelling, it is a notable part of the local cuisine.

Another dish from Üzümlü’s cuisine is Babikko. It is made by filling baked bread with garlic yoghurt, butter and pul biber (Aleppo pepper flakes). Alongside the grape, it offers a very different culinary experience: a prepared dish rather than a distinctive food product. Together, Cimin Üzümü and Babikko show two particular aspects of the region’s food culture. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Üzümlü, these landscape, cultural and culinary features can help you decide whether the town suits your travel group’s interests.

More Destinations

More destinations: Cevizlik Köyü, Akarsu, Kavaklık Köyü, Erzincan, Erzurum, Refahiye and Çilesiz Köyü.

For the wider travel overview: Erzincan.