Çiğdemli Village, 20 km from Divriği, is an 800-year-old stone village where Evliya Çelebi once stayed, and with its flagstone houses and Urban Protected Area status, it is one of Sivas's lesser-known historical stops.
Çiğdemli, formerly known as Tuğut, is a village located 20 kilometers from the Divriği district center. Evliya Çelebi wrote in his Seyahatname (Book of Travels) that he stayed at the inn here on the Sivas-Diyarbakır route; he described the village as a prosperous settlement with 150 houses and attached gardens. Today, many structures in the village are registered under Law No. 2863, and the entire village has been declared an Urban Protected Area.
Most of the houses are made of flagstone. Some combine wood and adobe. This texture is likened to the houses of Mardin, known for their prominent stone masonry; tunnels and shelters also point to the village's defensive architecture. It is stated that the lower floor of one mansion dates back to the 12th century, and the same space was used first as a church, then as a mosque during the Ottoman period, and later as a cemevi. Some buildings in the village are also said to date back to the 12th century, with their craftsmanship and durability still drawing attention.
Life in the village is not as vibrant as it once was. Some houses are empty and deteriorating over time. For those who want to see the region's stone architecture as a whole after visiting the Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital, stopping here is a meaningful additional stop.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Hafik Lake.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
The village is open all year, but winters around Divriği are harsh, and roads can sometimes become difficult. The period from late spring to early autumn is more comfortable for both road conditions and taking photos while walking around the village. The afternoon light makes the texture of the stone houses more prominent.
How to Get There
From Sivas city center to Divriği is approximately 190 km, taking 2.5-3 hours by road. From Divriği, it's another 20 km to the village. For this last section, if you don't have your own car, hiring a taxi in Divriği or going with a tour guide who knows the area is the most practical way. Public transport services are irregular; a private vehicle is almost essential to reach the village.
Suggested Route
Most visitors to Divriği first tour the Great Mosque and Hospital, then visit Çiğdemli village to complete their day. One comment suggests also seeing the caravanserai in Handere village, which is close to the village. If time permits, it's logical to fit these two stops into the same day. Starting in Divriği center in the morning and moving to the village in the afternoon is also advantageous for lighting.
Photo Spots
The main texture of the village consists of streets formed by contiguous flagstone houses. Facades where stone, wood, and adobe are used together look more impressive in close-up shots. The structure dating back to the 12th century, used as a church, mosque, and cemevi at different times, is the most striking individual stop in the village.
Things to Pay Attention To
The village is still a living settlement. Some houses that appear empty may be private property; it is necessary not to enter without permission. Some of the structures have deteriorated over time, so be careful when walking around. There are no fixed opening hours or entrance fees; the village can be explored freely, but it is useful to get information from Divriği about current road conditions before going.
History of the Village
Tuğut, mentioned in Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname, is described as a settlement with 150 houses and attached gardens at that time. The village's name has changed over time: it was recorded as Tuğut in 1912, Ağılcık in 1933, and is known today as Çiğdemli. It is considered one of the rare settlements that carries Divriği's traditional housing texture to the present day on a village scale; for this reason, it has received Urban Protected Area status.
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