Göle | |
|---|---|
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  Göle Location in Turkey | |
| Coordinates:40°47′34″N42°36′31″E / 40.79278°N 42.60861°E /40.79278; 42.60861 | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Ardahan |
| District | Göle |
| Elevation | 2,038 m (6,686 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | 5,775 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| Postal code | 75700 |
| Website | www |
Göle (Armenian:Կող,romanized: Kogh;Georgian:კოლა,romanized:k'ola;Kurdish:Mêrdînik) is a small city inArdahan Province ofTurkey. The city was formerly known asMerdenik,Merdinik orArdahan-ı Küçük ("Little Ardahan" inOttoman Turkish). It is the seat ofGöle District.[2] Its population is 5,775 (2021).[1]
InArmenian, Göle is known asKogh (Կող),Merdenek (Մերդենեկ), orMerrrenek (Մեռենեկ), also being renamed toMartenik (Մարտենիք) in 1918. InGreek, the town is known asGkióle (Γκιόλε) orMertenék (Μερτενέκ).[3][4][5] InGeorgian, it is known asKola (კოლა).[citation needed]
The name derives from Armenian name—Kogh—which may, in turn, derive from ancient kingdom ofColchis. In ancient times this land was part ofUrartu. In 4th century BC, it was part ofKingdom of Iberia and remained as one of the district of Duchy of Tsunda. Since 2nd century BC to 4th century AD this place was a part ofGreater Armenia. During subsequent centuries it frequently changed hands between Iberians andArmenians. In the 7th century it passed to theArab Caliphate. In 8th century it became part ofKuropalatine of Iberia in struggle against theArab occupation. During the 10th–15th centuries, this region was a part of the unitedGeorgian Kingdom. In the 16th century, it was within the independentPrincipality of Samtskhe until it was occupied and annexed by theOttoman Empire and organized into theChildir Eyalet. Merdenek was annexed by theRussian Empire in 1878, where it was part of the militarily administeredKars Oblast, specifically within the Gelskyuchastok (subcounty) of theArdahan Okrug. The district included villages inhabited by various ethnic groups, including 40Turkish and 13Caucasian Greek villages.[6] Merdenek was briefly occupied by theOttoman Empire by virtue of theTreaty of Brest-Litovsk, however, following their withdrawal in 1919,Armenian control prevailed until late 1920. During theTurkish–Armenian War, the town was occupied byDemocratic Republic of Georgia; in 1921, it was annexed byTurkey, as confirmed by theTreaty of Kars.[7]
Places of interest to visitors include the tomb and mosque in the village ofDedeşen and the castles ofKalecik andUgurtaşı.
