Gümüşhane İli Kültürel Mirası: Sarıçiçek Köy Odaları
Cultural Heritage of Gumushane Province: Sariçiçek Village Rooms

Summary/Abstract: Architectural structures, as tangible indicators of cultural traces, embody significant elements that reflect the traditions, lifestyles, and collective memory of the regions in which they are located. Village guest rooms (köy odaları), one of the distinctive examples of traditional architecture and local identity, stand out in Anatolian culture as buildings constructed to host travelers and meet their essential needs. Used for various purposes such as education, entertainment, administrative affairs, and cultural activities, these rooms also functioned as gathering and socialization spaces for the community. This study examines the Sarıçiçek Village Rooms No. 1 and No. 2, located in Sarıçiçek Village of Gümüşhane Province, Central District. Situated along the historical Silk Road route, these structures are analyzed in terms of their architectural characteristics (plan and façade) and interior details (ceiling, fireplace, storage niche, arch). Two main features distinguish these village rooms from other examples: first, the tradition of master–apprentice competition during their construction process, which has survived as an oral narrative to the present day; and second, the originality of their interior decorations. Reflecting the characteristic features of the traditional Turkish house typology, the Sarıçiçek Village Rooms convey the social and cultural traces of the period in which they were built. Due to the absence of comprehensive studies on these structures in the existing literature and their significance within the province’s cultural heritage, these two rooms were selected as the case study of this research. The lack of other identified village rooms in the region and the elaborate wooden craftsmanship observed in both interiors further enhance their cultural value. This study aims to provide insights into the local identity and cultural heritage of Gümüşhane through the analysis of the Sarıçiçek Village Rooms and to serve as an archival documentation supported by measured drawings and descriptive data.

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