Mount Kop Defense National Historic Park, situated between the provinces of Bayburt and Erzurum in eastern Turkey, is an important protected area established to commemorate the defense of Mount Kop against the Imperial Russian Army during World War I. Originally opened in 2016, the park is not only a historical site but also evidence of the sacrifices Ottoman troops made in the defense of their country during a pivotal stage of the conflict. One of Turkey’s most significant national historic parks is the large expanse of the park together with its great ecological and historical value.

The park lies between Altıntaş village in the Aşkale area of Erzurum Province and Kop town in Bayburt Province. The national park is positioned strategically in eastern Turkey by its close vicinity to Bayburt, barely 45 kilometers away, and to Erzurum, 75 kilometers from the site. Covering around 6,335 hectares, the park crosses both provinces; 55% of its total size is in Bayburt and 45% in Erzurum. The varied terrain of the park, which adds to the historical and biological richness of the area, including rocky mountain ranges, steep valleys, and large plateaus.

Officially opened on October 31, 2016, on the 100th anniversary of the crucial defensive fight, the park was named the 42nd national park of Turkey. One of the turning points on the Eastern Front during World War I, the Mount Kop Defense battle is memorialized in the park to those who battled and gave their lives to defend their nation.

Key in the framework of World War I, especially in the Ottoman Empire’s fight against the invading Imperial Russian Army, is the Mount Kop Defense. Stopping the Russian advance became dependent on the defense of the area once Erzurum was taken by Russia in February 1916. Under V Corps and General Fevzi Çakmak, the Ottoman Third Army began a string of defensive actions in the hilly area of Bayburt between March 20 and July 15, 1916. The Ottoman forces’ clear triumph from this calculated defense drove the Russian Army to withdraw.

The conflict had significant consequences since it not only changed the direction of the Eastern Front combat but also highlighted Ottoman soldiers’ will and tenacity. Though the Ottoman triumph at Mount Kop was crucial in boosting the morale of the troops and the civilian populace, the Ottoman losses—9,700 soldiers dead and 15,000 wounded—were still quite great.

Remarkably kept is the battlefield, which is between 2,400 and 2,980 meters above sea level. Still scattered over the terrain are traces of the battle, including gun carriage markings, trenches, and war supplies such bullets, shell fragments, and bits of military uniforms. Even satellite pictures shows the traces of trenches, therefore proving the site’s preservation over the years. Individual and collective graves as well as burial sites contribute even more to the historical value of the area since they act as mute reminders of the atrocities and bravery of the war.

Dedicated to commemorate the Ottoman warriors who fought and perished during the Mount Kop Defense National Historic Park is Mount Kop’s top features a monument honoring the dead soldiers built in 1963. Built of marble, concrete, and ashlar, the monument is a sobering reminder of the costs paid during the war. A section of the national historic park was set aside as a tourism destination in 1993, and over time attempts have been made to improve the guest experience.

Initiated in 2018, a major restoration effort aims to preserve the battle site further and provide tourists a more authentic experience. This includes building a visitor center and museum, preservation of combat positions, and ground-penetuating radar-based restoration of war cemeteries. Covering 1,000 square meters, the museum provides an interactive experience involving reconstructions of the war and displays highlighting the events that happened at Mount Kop. Including social amenities like an outside restaurant gives guests somewhere to relax and learn about the past of the area.

Apart from its historical significance, the park is acknowledged for its special geological and biological characteristics. Comprising a spectrum of pre-Jurassic metamorphic rocks, the Kop Mountains are situated in the axis zone of the Pontide tectonic belt and include gneiss, schist, and amphibolites. The rough mountain scene of the park is derived from these geological formations as well as from other minerals such dunite and pyroxenite.

Mount Kop boasts equally amazing biodiversity. With 134 species—10 endemics and 37 uncommon species among them—the park is among Turkey’s most abundant butterfly habitat. Apart from several bird species, the area boasts several mammals including lynx, bears, foxes, and wolves. The existence of these species emphasizes the ecological value of the surroundings and the need of protecting such environments.

Additionally native to Mount Kop is the uncommon and threatened plant species Stachys bayburtensis. This accentuates the need of maintaining the many flora and wildlife that flourish in this hilly surroundings, therefore adding to the ecological worth of the park.