Aziziye (District)

Erzurum District, located in the west of Erzurum Province, is known by its former name Ilıca and is one of the largest districts of Erzurum with an area of approximately 1,686 square kilometers. It is situated at an elevation of 1,812 meters above sea level. Ilıca gained district status in 1991 and, under Law No. 5747 on the Establishment of Districts Within Metropolitan Municipalities, merged with the Dadaşkent neighborhood to adopt the name Aziziye and become one of Erzurum’s three central districts. The Aziziye (Ilıca) Municipal Organization was established in 1953. The district is also notable for its significant thermal springs in addition to its natural beauty.

^{Erzurum Ilıca (Source:} Erzurum Encyclopedia⁾

The earliest settlement area of Aziziye (Ilıca) lies between the fertile lands of the Karasu River and the Pulur Creek. Archaeological excavations conducted in Karaz (Kahramanlar Village) within this region indicate that human habitation dates back to the 4000s BCE. Throughout its historical development, Aziziye (Ilıca) came under the control successively of the Hurrians, Hayasa, the Kingdom of Azzi, and the Urartians (900–600 BCE), followed by invasions by the Scythians, Medes, and Persians. In 65 BCE, the region fell under the control of the Roman Empire. Between 1040 and 1063 CE, it was used as a military camp by Ibrahim Yınal and Kutalmış, commanders of the Great Seljuk State, during their campaign to capture Erzurum. After the Battle of Manzikert, Ilıca came entirely under Turkish control.

Having suffered various occupations and invasions, Ilıca was captured by Russian forces under General Yudeniç on the night of 16–17 February 1918 following their occupation of Erzurum on 16 February 1916. Russian military historian Korsun, in his work titled “The Erzurum Operation,” notes that “at 14:00 on 18 February, the 156th Elizabethpol Infantry Regiment as the vanguard force captured Ilıca.” Along with the Russian occupation, the population of Ilıca was forced to migrate inland to regions such as Erzincan, Kayseri, Adana, Sivas, and Tokat despite the harsh winter conditions. Many people perished during this migration due to cold and starvation. The Turkish army under the command of Kazım Karabekir Paşa ended the occupation of Ilıca on 11 March 1918. Ilıca gained district status in 1991 and merged with Dadaşkent in 2008 to become Aziziye.

Aziziye district and its central villages are located on the Erzurum Plain and the Daphan Plain. The Ovacık subdistrict to the north of the district has a mountainous and rugged terrain. The total area of the district is 1,686 km², with a municipal boundary area of approximately 300 km². The elevation is 1,812 meters.

The important rivers flowing through the district boundaries are as follows:

• Karasu: Originating from Dumlu Mountain, it flows into the Euphrates River near the village of Tecer in the Aşkale district. It is fed by the Köşk Creek from the Kargapazarı Mountains, the Pulur Creek descending from the Palandöken Mountains, and the Serçeme Creek within the district boundaries. The Karasu, a tributary of the Euphrates, has a total length of 185 km, of which 140 km lies within Erzurum’s borders. Its average discharge is 44 m³/s.
• Serçeme Creek: A tributary of the Karasu River, the Serçeme Creek originates in the Yıldız Mountains and joins the Karasu River at the Çağdariç Bridge near Aşkale. Its total length is 69 km, entirely within the district boundaries. Its average discharge is 9 m³/s.
• Pulur Creek: Another tributary of the Karasu River, the Pulur Creek originates in the Tabya Mountains and flows into the Karasu River near Ilıca. Its total length is 43 km, entirely within the district boundaries. Its average discharge is 2 m³/s.

There are no natural lakes within the district boundaries. However, the Kuzgun Dam Lake and a small irrigation reservoir near the Merkez Söğütlü village exist.

Due to its proximity to Erzurum Province, Aziziye shares similar climatic characteristics. It experiences a continental climate with generally hot and dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Annual average temperatures are low. During winter months, temperatures frequently drop below zero, and snow cover can persist for extended periods. Spring and autumn are mild transitional seasons.

As of 2024, the population of Aziziye district is 70,032, of which 37,660 are male and 32,372 are female. Males constitute 53.78% of the population and females 46.22%. The district’s population has undergone changes over time due to factors such as migration from rural areas to urban centers and natural population growth.

The economy of Aziziye district is based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and especially thermal tourism. Due to its location within part of the Erzurum Plain, agricultural activities are carried out, producing crops such as wheat and barley. Animal husbandry is also an important source of livelihood for the local population.

However, the district’s most significant economic potential lies in its thermal springs. The Aziziye (Ilıca) Thermal Springs are among Turkey’s leading thermal tourism centers. Thermal hotel facilities operated by the Aziziye Municipality make substantial contributions to regional and national tourism. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance the potential for nature tourism by developing the area around the Pulur Creek. The goal is to complement the success of Erzurum’s winter tourism centered on Palandöken with thermal tourism in Aziziye. Ongoing initiatives aim to increase the contribution of the district’s geothermal resources to the local and provincial economy.

^{Aziziye apartment hotels (Source:} Aziziye Municipality⁾

Located approximately 18 km from the center of Erzurum city, the Aziziye (Ilıca) Thermal Springs have undergone periodic maintenance since 1964 and were fully renovated in 2005 to become a modern thermal facility. The complex includes an 86-bed boutique hotel and 14 family cabins, offering three separate pools for men, women, and groups, as well as sauna, Turkish bath, Finnish bath, physical therapy center, sports hall, and cafeteria. These facilities, operated by the Aziziye Municipality, have established themselves among Turkey’s leading thermal tourism brands.

The waters of Ilıca Thermal Springs are internationally renowned for their high concentrations of carbon and hydrogen minerals. The thermal waters have a total mineralization of 3,535.8 mg/l, containing 4 mg/l fluoride, sodium, and bicarbonate. The spring water temperature is 39.4 °C with a hardness of 38 French degrees. The water is clear, slightly yellow in color, odorless, and low in sediment. It is believed that these thermal waters have beneficial effects on stomach, intestinal, liver, gallbladder, nutritional disorders, and rheumatic diseases.

^{Aziziye Ilıca thermal facilities (Source:} Aziziye District Governorship⁾