Where is Osmancık and how far is it from Çorum?

Osmancık is north of Çorum, in the Kızılırmak valley. It is about 61 km from the city centre, roughly a 45-minute to one-hour drive. As it lies on the Ankara–Çorum–Samsun highway, it is a natural stopover on the way to the Black Sea.

What is there to see in Osmancık?

The district's emblem is the historic Koyunbaba Bridge over the Kızılırmak. The Kandiber Castle on its rocky hill and the Koyun Baba Tomb are the other main sights.

How long does a visit to Osmancık take?

As the bridge, castle and tomb are grouped in the district centre, half a day (3–4 hours) is enough. It can be combined with a visit to central Çorum.

Osmancık Visitor Guide: Koyunbaba Bridge, Castle and Tomb

Q: What should you know about the Koyunbaba Bridge?

The stone bridge over the Kızılırmak was built in the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, in 1484–1489; it is about 250 m long and 7.5 m wide. Fifteen of its arches are visible today; by tradition it originally had 19, some of which have silted up over time.

Q: What is Osmancık rice?

Osmancık is a district known for rice growing; the widely cultivated 'Osmancık-97' variety is its brand identity. The Osmancık Pırlanta Rice Festival is held every September.

Osmancık is a district north of Çorum in the Kızılırmak valley, on the Ankara–Samsun highway — making it a natural stopover on the way to the Black Sea. This page focuses on how to visit.

📍 Location and transport

Osmancık is about 61 km from central Çorum, roughly a 45-minute to one-hour drive. There are regular buses and minibuses from the Çorum terminal, and it is reached directly by car via the D100. For ways to reach the city, see how to get to Çorum.

🌉 Koyunbaba Bridge

The district's emblem is the historic Koyunbaba Bridge over the Kızılırmak. Built in the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, in 1484–1489, it is about 250 m long and 7.5 m wide. Fifteen of its arches are visible today; by tradition it originally had 19, some of which have silted up over time. The bridge is still in use and takes its name from the nearby Koyun Baba.

🏰 Kandiber Castle

On a rocky hill by the Kızılırmak, commanding the district, Kandiber Castle points to an old past with its Roman-era rock tombs. From the top there are views over the town and the river.

🕌 Koyun Baba Tomb

Above the district centre, the Koyun Baba Tomb was built in the reign of Bayezid II for Koyun Baba, a 15th-century Qalandari dervish who lived in Osmancık. It is an important site for faith and cultural tourism.

As a historical connection, Akşemseddin — the teacher of Mehmed the Conqueror — is recorded to have taught at the Osmancık madrasa for a time (his tomb, however, is in Göynük, not Osmancık).

🌾 Osmancık rice and its festival

Osmancık is known for rice growing; the widely cultivated "Osmancık-97" variety is its brand identity. The Osmancık Pırlanta Rice Festival is held every September, with concerts, local food contests and oil wrestling.

🎒 Practical tips

Time: half a day (3–4 hours) for the main sights; can be combined with central Çorum.
Season: spring and autumn suit the Kızılırmak valley; you can time a visit to September's festival.
The best light for photographing the bridge is in the morning and evening.