History of Ortaköy
Ortaköy is a district in the southeast of Çorum whose roots reach back to ancient times. The discovery of remains from the Hittite and Roman periods shows that the district’s lands have been a place of settlement since antiquity. These remains demonstrate that the region held an important place among the early civilizations of Anatolia.
History
The Turks who came to this area from Central Asia settled in tribes at the Pınarköy and Asraköy localities and at Ortaköy. Later, Asraköy and Pınarköy merged with Ortaköy to form present-day Ortaköy. According to the history page of the Ortaköy District Governorship, the area’s organization as an administrative settlement goes back much further, to 1324, when the sub-district (nahiye) of Ortaköy was established under the Sanjak of Amasya, within the Province of Sivas. The nahiye later remained attached to Çorum’s district of Mecitözü; through the fusion of these settlements, the district gradually acquired the identity of a center and was granted district status under Law No. 7033 in 1959, becoming directly attached to Çorum Province.
One of the most important elements of the district’s historical wealth is Şapinuva, one of the major centers of the Hittites. Şapinuva was a city that stood out in religious and administrative terms during the Hittite Empire, and archaeological excavations are being carried out there. As one of Anatolia’s important mounds and urban settlements containing cuneiform tablets, it sheds light on the region’s Bronze Age history.
Geographic Location
Ortaköy lies to the southeast of the provincial center and to the south of the district of Mecitözü. Its distance from the provincial center is about 53-57 km, and its surface area is 238 km². The district generally has a continental climate; the annual rainfall is around 409.5 mm. The Çekerek River, a tributary of the Yeşilırmak (Green River), passes through the district’s boundaries, and the villages of İncesu, Aşdağul and Senemoğlu make use of this watercourse.
Natural and Historical Assets
In the village of İncesu, which is part of the district, there is an impressive canyon through which the Çekerek River flows. Within the canyon, wall remains, beam sockets and stair steps can be seen on the rocks. Near İncesu village, on the bank of the Çekerek River and inside the canyon, the Kybele rock relief carved into the rocks is one of the region’s important historical structures that has survived from antiquity to the present day. In addition, the Damlataş Cave in the town of Aşdağul is among the natural formations worth seeing.
Administrative and Socio-Economic Structure
According to the results of the 2000 general population census, the total population is 11,820, with 3,349 in the district center and 8,471 in the towns and villages. According to TÜİK’s Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) figures for 2025, the district’s total population is 6,491. The district’s economy is based on agriculture and livestock raising. The agricultural land totals 14,560 hectares, of which about 6% is irrigable and 94% is arid in character. The principal agricultural products are wheat, barley, chickpeas, sugar beet, lentils, rice and poppy. In the district there are around 5,845 head of cattle and 5,230 head of sheep and goats, and there is one irrigation pond.
The literacy rate in the district is 91%. A total of 1,720 students are educated in one general high school, one YİBO (Regional Boarding Primary School), four primary schools and eleven multigrade primary schools. Health services are provided by the 30-bed State Hospital in the district center and by one health clinic each in the towns of Aşdağul and Karahacip. Most of the village roads are paved, and shortages of drinking water can sometimes be experienced during the summer months.
Related Places
For those touring Ortaköy and its surroundings, the principal nearby historical and natural assets include the Hittite city of Şapinuva and the İncesu Canyon. Those interested in Hittite settlements of the same period may also consider Hattuşaş and Alacahöyük as well as the Boğazköy Museum. For the history of the neighboring district, see the History of Mecitözü page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ortaköy?
According to TÜİK ADNKS figures for 2025, the total population of Ortaköy district is 6,491.
Which province is Ortaköy in?
Ortaköy is a district of Çorum province in Turkey.
ℹ️ This article has been enriched with additional historical context and editing over the original archive content.