Muslim and non-Muslim artifacts from the Ottoman Empire tothe Republican period in Merzifon

The history of Merzifon is estimated that dates back to 5500 BC. Merzifon has hosted the civilizations founded by the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Danishmends, Seljuks, Ilkhanids, and Ottomans from Ancient age to the present. In the Merzifon district, the Hittites during the Dark Ages between 1700 and 700 BC, the Phrygians in the 8th century BC during the Dark Ages, the Cimmerians and Scythians who came to Anatolia from the Caucasus in 600 BC, and the Persians between the 6th and 4th centuries established dominance. With the Battle of Isos in 333 BC, the domination of the Persians in the region ended and the Pontos State was established, and the capital of the state was Amasya. During these periods, Merzifon became an important trade center. About 200- year Pontos (Mithridates) Period ended in 47 BC and the period of Roman domination began in the region. The Roman Empire was divided into two as Eastern and Western Rome in 395 AD, Merzifon and its vicinity remained in the territory of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantines). Merzifon District, which came under the rule of Danishmends in the 11th century, came under the rule of the Seljuks in the 12th century, and the Ilkhanids in the 14th century, respectively. Merzifon, which came under the rule of Eratna Principality between 1335-1341, remained under the rule of Taşanoğulları, one of the Turkmen Beys, between 1353-1396. In the reign of Yıldırım Bayezid, Merzifon, which came under the rule of the Ottomans since 1396, became an important cultural center of Amasya Sanjak, which is a part of Sivas province. Occupied by the British on March 15, 1919 after the World War I, Merzifon was liberated on September 27, 1919, as a result of the reactions of the people of Merzifon throughout the occupation and the attempts of Mustafa Kemal Pasha. Merzifon district has hosted thousands of people as Turkish land from the beginning of the Republican Period to present. Merzifon, which was a district of Amasya Sanjak, which was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire before the Republic, preserved this status in the Republican period as well. In this study, historical artifacts belonging to Muslims and non-Muslims living in the Merzifon district, which has a historical process of 5500 years, are discussed separately and information are given. As historical artifacts belonging to Muslims, the existence of mosques, baths, commercial places, schools, mansions, tombs and fountains in Merzifon have been determined. Abide Hatun Mosque, Eyüp Çelebi Mosque, Büyük Hacı Hasan Mosque, Çay Mosque, Hanife Hatun Mosque, Kara Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Taceddin İbrahim Pasha Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Bozacı Mosque, Alaca Minare Mosque and Dönertaş Mosque, II. Murat Mosque, Dobak Musque, Denizli Musque which have historical importance among the mosques, are scrutinized with all details. One of the most important historical building groups of Merzifon is the baths. Thus, information are given about Tuz Pazarı Bath, Double Bath, Pasha Bath and Maarif Bath. Apart from these, Taşhan, Bedesten and Tuz Pazarı were examined as trade venues. Basmacılar and Ulukuşlar Mansions, which are among the famous mansions of Merzifon, were also included in the study. Additionally, information are given about Piri Baba Lodge and Tomb, Kümbet Hatun Tomb and fountains. When it comes to the educational institutions that have historical value, information are given about Kara Mustafa Pasha Primary School and Çelebi Sultan Mehmet Madrasa. Among the historical artifacts left by non-Muslims in Merzifon, St. Barbara Church and the Protestant Church, and the history of Merzifon Seminary, Merzifon Boarding School for Girls, King School for the Deaf, Harbinger High School and Merzifon Anatolian College, which were established by non-Muslims in Merzifon. The study consists of two parts. In the first part of the study, the geography, socio-economic status and history of Merzifon were mentioned. In the second part of the study, historical artifacts in Merzifon district are divided into two sub-titles as belonging to Muslims and non- Muslims, and information about those historical artifacts are presented. In the first part of the study, the geography, socio-economic status and history of Merzifon were mentioned. In the second part of the study, historical artifacts in Merzifon district are divided into two sub-titles as belonging to Muslims and non-Muslims, and information about historical artifacts are presented. It has been determined that the historical artifacts that were transferred to the Republican Period have been repaired and have reached the present day and preserved their existence, and that there were changes in their functionality in some artifacts.