Another thing I have learnt on this trip is that Turkey is above sea level almost everywhere your go. Certainly true in the north. Erzurum is 1757m (5766 ft) above sea level and known as “The Rock” in NATO code, served as NATO’s southeastern-most air force post during the Cold War. During Roman times it was renamed Theodosiopolis, acquiring its present name after its conquest by the Seljuk Turks following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
 Surrounded by mountains. |
 Cifte minareli Medrese |
Erzurum is a pretty small city, but the highest in Turkey. Most of the city is easily reached on foot. Due to the high altitude and cold, there are not much vegetables grown in the region, so the traditional food is meat.
Not prepared for the altitude or cold, I ‘booked’ into the Polat hotel near the train terminal. My little camper will have to wait another day for company at night.