Sivas is a historic city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, renowned for its magnificent Seljuk-era architecture and its pivotal role in Turkish national history. Home to the Sivas Congress of 1919 — a critical event in the founding of the Turkish Republic — the city preserves some of the finest medieval Islamic monuments in Anatolia. The Buruciye, Çifte Minareli, Gök, and Şifaiye madrasas cluster in the city centre, while Divriği's UNESCO-listed Great Mosque lies within the province. At 1,285 metres elevation on the Central Anatolian plateau, Sivas offers an authentic, crowd-free alternative to Turkey's tourist-heavy western cities.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Sivas.
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1
Şifaiye Medresesi
Seljuk sultan's 1217 CE medical school and hospital — one of Anatolia's earliest dedicated healthcare institutions, now an open courtyard with ornate stonework.
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2
Çifte Minareli Medrese
Twin-minaret seminary (1271 CE) with an imposing portal of interlaced Seljuk stone carving — Sivas's most photographed landmark.
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3
Gök Medrese
Blue Seminary (1271 CE), built by Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali — a masterpiece of Seljuk decorative stonework with a richly carved entrance portal.
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4
Sivas Congress Museum
The 1919 congress hall where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk consolidated the national resistance movement — a foundational site in the birth of the Turkish Republic.
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5
Buruciye Medresesi
13th-century Ilkhanid-era seminary now operating as a regional ethnography and science museum, with a beautifully carved marble portal.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Most madrasas open without tickets — simply walk in during daylight hours, The Congress Museum has English-language information panels; audio guides available at reception (50 TRY/~$1.50 USD), Divriği Mosque portal carvings are best photographed at midday when sunlight enters directly
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Divriği Mosque worth the 3-hour journey from Sivas?
Absolutely — the 13th-century portal carvings are in a league of their own in all of Anatolia, and the UNESCO listing brings tourists, but the distance keeps crowds manageable. Catch the 08:00 bus from Sivas Otobüs Terminali and return on the 17:00 service.
Are the madrasas in Sivas centre free to enter?
Yes — Şifaiye, Çifte Minareli, and Gök Medrese are all free. Buruciye charges 25 TRY (~$0.75 USD) for the museum inside. The Congress Museum is free with English panels.