Yıldızeli

For the surname, see Yıldızeli (surname).

Yıldızeli is a town in Sivas Province of Turkey. It is the seat of Yıldızeli District.^[2] Its population is 6,420 (2022).^[1] Since March 2024, the mayor has been Yaşar Göktaş, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).^[3]

Yıldızeli
Municipality
Yıldızeli Location in Turkey Show map of Turkey Yıldızeli Yıldızeli (Turkey Central Anatolia) Show map of Turkey Central Anatolia
Coordinates: 39°51′51″N 36°35′54″E
Country	Turkey
Province	Sivas
District	Yıldızeli
Government
• Mayor	Yaşar Göktaş (MHP)
Elevation	1,401 m (4,596 ft)
Population  (2022)[1]	6,420
Time zone	UTC+3 (TRT)
Area code	0346
Website	www.yildizeli.bel.tr

Name

Yıldızeli has been identified as the site of the ancient town of Phiara (Greek: Φίαρα),^[4] which according to Ptolemy was located in the district of Sargarausena in Cappadocia.^[5]

The town was known as Нап-ı Cedid or Yenihan (New Inn) in Ottoman times.^[6]

History

Yıldızeli has a broad and colorful history and culture.^{[citation needed]}

In Hittite times, Yıldızeli was on the road that connected Hattusa and Sivas.^[7]

In the early 20th century, the kaza of Yıldızeli (Yenihan) had 63 primary schools (mekatib-i ibtidaiye) and 1 non-Muslim school (mekatib-i gayrimüslime), the non-Muslim school being an Armenian school with around 70 students (but in 1914 no teacher).^[8]

Geography

Yıldızeli is located approximately 50 km from the city center of Sivas and 60 km from the city center of Tokat, at the intersection of the Sivas-Yozgat-Ankara (D.200) highway and the Sivas-Tokat-Amasya (D.850) highway. Yıldızeli also has railway access, and, via the Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport, airport access.^[9]

Demography

Various social communities reside in Yıldızeli, such as Alevis, Turkmens, Circassians, etc.^{[citation needed]}

Tourism

The district has a lot of touristic places as well as hot springs which are claimed to be curative for some diseases.^{[citation needed]}