Yivlik Kayası
Yivlik Kayası is a large rock mass of volcanic origin rising near the center of İskilip district, Çorum. According to the official source of İskilip Municipality, the district’s oldest historical traces are found on this rock; the Turkish Wikipedia entry for İskilip notes that the geometric shapes and grooves on its surface may date to the Hattian-Hittite period, though this dating is not firmly established.
Origin of the Name
According to İskilip Municipality, after Kadı Burhaneddin’s forces plundered İskilip in 1390, inflicting great suffering on its people, the Akkoyunlu Turkmen lord Kara Yülüg Osman put an end to this, and the people named the imposing rock after him. Over time the word “Kara” (black) was forgotten, and the rock came to be known as “Yülüg (Yivlik) Kayası.”
The Healing-Water Tradition
Many historical sources describe the water flowing from the foot of the rock as healing; according to some accounts, this water — from what was at the time a volcano — was used to treat various ailments. İskilip Municipality also links this water to the district’s older names, Asklepios and Eskülabi. During the term of mayor Ahmet Erdem (1944–1948), the Yivlik spring water was piped to various neighbourhoods of the town center.
Location
From the height of Yivlik Kayası, the town center and İskilip Castle can be seen from above. Together with the castle and the İskilip Rock Tomb on its southern slopes, this rocky core forms the area where İskilip has had continuous settlement throughout its history. For the district’s general history, see History of İskilip.