Evliya Çelebi describes Erzurum and its surroundings as follows: Although the city has no vineyards or gardens, because of the icy winters, it does have some gardens famous with their layered roses, winter apples, and wild pears. In the recreation spaces and rose gardens, the poplar trees and weeping willows are abundant. Erzurum is actually home to fierce winters, yet it has regular orchards where melon, watermelon, cabbage, aubergine, and ciris (?) are grown.
Source: Travel Account, 17th century
-Nurhan Atasoy, Seyit Ali Kahraman
Resources:
Evliya Çelebi Seyahatnâmesi: Topkapı Sarayı Bağdat 304 Yazmasının transkripsiyonu (Open in Zotero)
Originally published at: Atasoy, Nurhan, and Seyit Ali Kahraman “Erzurum Gardens.” Middle East Gardens Traditions. Dumbarton Oaks, December 1, 2014. https://www.doaks.org/resources/middle-east-garden-traditions/catalogue/C98. Archived at: https://perma.cc/5UDZ-R9BM.