--- title: Torul (District) slug: torul-district-eecff url: /detay/torul-district-eecff type: article language: English entity: primary: Torul (District) type: article disambiguation: Discover Torul, Gümüşhane: History, nature & culture in the Eastern Black Sea. categories: - name: Travel And Tourism slug: seyahat-ve-turizm url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm tags: - PlateauCulture - TorulCamTerrace - ZiganaPass - HarshitValley - EasternBlackSea - RuralTourism - Torul - Gümüşhane author: Emre Zengin created_at: 2025-07-09T09:26:46.085923+03:00 updated_at: 2025-07-09T11:32:17.706657+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/09/kPhvmlP7SHTqOBmXq3dxWb4Aq5BLI6lu.jpg --- # Torul (District) ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Torul (District) ![Gümüshane Map Chart (4).png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/09/GUWjE2XLd5FVVcZfTaVWVuwwEgNm3tkz.png) *Paintmaps* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Mayor(s) | Evren Evrim Ozdemir | | Area(s)(Text) | 973 km² | | Province(s) | Gümüşhane | | Economy(ies) | Agriculture animal husbandry forestry small-scale rural tourism | | Culture | Traditional transhumance handicrafts fruit pulp buttered kuymak | | Featured Places | Harsit Valley,Zigana Pass,Karaca Cave,Torul Glass Observation Terrace | | Population (2023) | Approximately 9.500 people | | History | Rome A deep-rooted settlement bearing traces from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods | | Climate(s) | Continental climate influences are seen,winters are harsh summers are mild | ## Article Content The district of Torul, within the province of [Gümüşhane, ](/en/detay/gumushane-2/llms.txt) located in the inland region of [the Eastern ](/en/detay/dogu-751789/llms.txt). Located approximately 35 kilometers from the city center, the district is one of the region's [unique settlements in terms of ](/en/detay/ozgun-750487/llms.txt), geography, and culture. Located at the eastern end of the Çoruh Valley along the Harşit River, Torul has historically served as a strategic gateway. Its location on  and military routes since ancient times has increased the region's importance for settlement and defense. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/07/09/bn1IB5g6qRDDrvUhlydK2F9ylKGX43v2.jpg) *Torul ( Anadolu Agency )* #### **History** Torul's history dates back to ancient times. Throughout history, [the region where the district is located has been under the rule of numerous civilizations, ](/en/detay/bolge-2/llms.txt) the Urartians, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines. The arrival of Turks in the region increased after the 11th century, particularly during the Seljuk and then Ottoman periods. Known as "Harşit" in the Ottoman administrative system, this settlement gained sub-district status as Torul in the 19th century and district status in the first quarter of the 20th century. #### **Geography and Climate** Torul has a mountainous and rugged [terrain](/en/detay/arazi-4/llms.txt). It is surrounded by the Zigana Mountains to the north and the Gümüşhane Mountains to the south. The district center is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The Harşit River flows through the district, creating a natural valley. Located at the transition zone between the Black Sea and Eastern [Anatolian climates, Torul experiences harsh, ](/en/detay/anadolu-4/llms.txt) winters and mild summers. Differences [in altitude](/en/detay/rakim-750024/llms.txt) create microclimatic characteristics, which in turn contribute to the diversity of agriculture and [vegetation](/en/detay/bitki-2/llms.txt). #### **Population and Demography** Torul district has been experiencing [population loss ](/en/detay/nufus/llms.txt) years due to [migration. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the district's population, including rural and ](/en/detay/goc-2/llms.txt), and Istanbul, primarily for education and employment opportunities. The district has a relatively high proportion of elderly residents, which [directly](/en/detay/durum-5/llms.txt) impacts the socioeconomic structure. #### **Economy** Torul's economy is largely based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry. [While industrial-scale ](/en/detay/birlikte/llms.txt) activities are limited in the district, small-scale beekeeping, [animal husbandry, and local agricultural production remain among the main sources of income. Furthermore, due to ](/en/detay/hayvan-2/llms.txt) of tourist destinations such as Karaca Cave and Zigana Pass, small-scale service businesses focused on rural tourism have begun to develop in recent years. #### **Tourism, Culture, and Cuisine** Torul is a district known for its natural beauty. The Torul [Glass](/en/detay/cam-5/llms.txt) Observation Terrace, in particular, attracts both [local](/en/detay/yerli-2/llms.txt) and international tourists with its commanding view of the Harşit Valley. Furthermore, the proximity of Karaca Cave and the Zigana Ski Resort contributes to regional tourism. While Torul cuisine shares a similarity with Gümüşhane's general gastronomic culture, its buttered [kuymak](/en/detay/kuymak-748648/llms.txt), pestil-köme (a type of fruit with fruit called pestil-köme), and various meat dishes reflect the local identity. Traditional handicrafts and highland culture are also [important](/en/detay/onemli-0325c/llms.txt) components of the district's cultural heritage. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Akyürek, Suat, and Hüseyin İbrahim Zeybek. “Rural Tourism Potential of Gümüşhane Province and Local People’s Opinions on Rural Tourism: The Case of Zigana Village.” International Rural Tourism and Development Journal 2, no. 2 (2018): 10–19. https://turizmvekalkinma.org/index.php/irtadjournal/article/view/83/75Anadolu Agency. “120,000 People Watched the View from the Glass Observation Terrace in Torul.” Anadolu Agency, August 15, 2023. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/toruldaki-cam-seyir-terasindan-120-bin-kisi-manzara-izledi/2980820Çalık, İsmail, and Ertuğrul Düzgün. Plateau Tourism in Gümüşhane: A Sustainable Tourism Perspective. Gümüşhane: Gümüşhane University Publications, 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357355814Gümüşhane University. Tourism Potential of Gümüşhane Province. Gümüşhane: Gümüşhane University Publications, 2011. https://guiys.gumushane.edu.tr/media/uploads/kutuphane/files/gumushane\_ili\_turizm\_potansiyeli.pdfGümüşhane University. Sustainable Tourism in Gümüşhane. Gümüşhane: Gümüşhane University Publications, 2019. https://kutuphane.gumushane.edu.tr/media/uploads/kutuphane/files/gumushanede-surdurulebilir-turizm.pdfGümüşhane University. “Recreation Potential of Altınpınar (Limni) Lake (Torul/Gümüşhane) and Its Surroundings.” Atatürk University Journal of Geography 34 (2019): 185–204. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ataunidcd/issue/58185/746754Paintmaps. “Turkey Provinces Map – Highlighting Torul, Gümüşhane.” Access date: April 15, 2025.  https://paintmaps.com