Tunceli is a remote, mountainous province in eastern Turkey, cradled by the Munzur and Mercan mountain ranges. Known historically as Dersim, it is a stronghold of Alevi culture and has one of Turkey's most dramatic landscapes, with rushing rivers, wild gorges, alpine meadows, and the pristine Munzur Valley National Park. It remains one of the least-visited provinces in Turkey, attracting adventurous travelers who seek unspoiled nature, white-water rafting, trekking, and authentic rural hospitality far from the tourist trail.
The region now called Tunceli has been inhabited for millennia, its mountain valleys sheltering successive cultures. In antiquity the area fell within the Kingdom of Urartu, then successively under Median, Persian, Hellenistic, Armenian, and Roman influence. During the Byzantine period it was part of the frontier zone between Byzantine Armenia and Persia. The medieval period brought Seljuk and later Ottoman control, though the mountainous terrain enabled a degree of local autonomy throughout. The Dersim tribes (predominantly Zaza Kurds with Alevi beliefs) maintained a semi-autonomous status even under Ottoman rule. The defining moment of modern Tunceli history was the Dersim rebellion and its suppression in 1937–38, when the Turkish government launched a military campaign against the tribes led by Seyid Rıza. The campaign involved aerial bombardment and mass killings; casualty estimates range from several thousand to tens of thousands. The region was renamed from Dersim to Tunceli in 1935, prior to the campaign. In 2011, Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan formally apologized for the events, calling them 'the closest thing to a massacre in the recent history of our republic.' The memory of 1937–38 remains central to local identity.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Tunceli.
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1
Urartian influence reaches Munzur valley region
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2
Battle of Manzikert; Seljuk Turks begin controlling Anatolia
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3
Dersim tribes consolidate Alevi-Zaza identity under Ottoman nominal rule
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4
Ottoman name 'Dersim' officially replaced with 'Tunceli' by Turkish Republic
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5
Turkish military campaign suppresses Dersim uprising; estimated thousands killed; Seyid Rıza executed
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6
Province partially opened; severe population displacement and depopulation
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7
Prime Minister Erdoğan issues formal apology for 1937–38 events
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8
Gradual increase in tourism; Munzur Valley Festival established; travel restrictions eased
Historical eras
The chapters of Tunceli's past.
Historical sites
Places where Tunceli's past comes alive.
Museums
Curated collections that tell Tunceli's story.
Güneş Museum (Tunceli İl Müzesi)
Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00
Admission: Free
Tunceli Archaeological Museum
Hours: Tue–Sun 08:30–17:00
Admission: Free
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.