I set out early in the morning towards Kemaliye, the apple of Erzincan's eye. Kemaliye, formerly known as Eğin, is a district famous for its historical texture and natural beauties. It is like a paradise hidden among the mountains on the banks of Karasu, one of the branches of the Euphrates River.
As soon as I arrived in the district, I started to visit the historical Kemaliye houses. These houses attract attention with their 19th century Ottoman architecture. The structures, which exhibit the most beautiful examples of woodwork, took me back to the past with their structures built on stone floors, wooden windows and bay windows. As I walked through the streets, I felt like each house had a story; it was as if the people living here were still looking out the windows.
While walking through the narrow streets of Kemaliye, I also got to know the district's famous mulberry trees and mulberry molasses. I took a short break under the mulberry trees amidst the sincerity and warm conversations of the locals. It was enjoyable to taste mulberry molasses and listen to the life of Eğin in the old days. In the meantime, I realized that the cultural richness of Kemaliye is not only reflected in its architecture but also in its cuisine.
In the second half of the day, I walked towards the famous Stone Road to enjoy nature. This road is a true marvel of engineering. This road, which was built centuries ago by manpower and carved out of rocks, passes between steep cliffs. As I walked with the gurgling sound of the Karasu, the coolness of the water flowing under this stone road penetrated me. Walking along the branches of the Euphrates River and watching the magnificence of the mountains opposite fascinated me.
Finally, I went up to the Observation Terrace to watch the nature of Kemaliye and the valley from above. The view from here was like a postcard. The green valleys of Kemaliye merged with the deep blue sky and the Karasu River flowed like a snake. While the evening sun was hiding behind the mountains, I relieved the tiredness of this beautiful day with a light breeze and the silence of nature.
At the end of the day, after a day full of Kemaliye's history and nature, I felt at peace. As I left this beautiful town where history, culture and natural beauty are intertwined, I promised myself to return again.