Day 11 - Kars - Erzurum (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we set off for Erzurum, the largest city of Eastern Anatolia.  This city was the Theodosiopolis of the Byzantines, Karin of the Armenians, and Arzan Ar Roum of the Arabs. Throughout its long history Erzurum has been the theater of many wars, finally becoming Ottoman in 1514. In the early 1900s Erzurum was home to a large Armenian (majority Gregorian) community with schools, churches etc. The city was especially renowned for its Armenian jewelers. We will visit the Cifte Minareli (the Twin Minaret), an outstanding example of Seljuk Architecture and continue with the Great Mosque, famous with its many columns and seven wide naves, the Yakutiye Theological Medrese  that dates back to the Mongol period of 1310, and the Lala Pasa Camii designed and built by the famous architect Sinan. Dinner and overnight stay are in Erzurum.