Nature turns red in Yozgat: Cehirlik's flower blooms for only 15 days

The short blooming period draws visitors from Yozgat and neighboring provinces to the area every year. Located on the Yozgat-Boğazkale (Hattusa) highway, Cehirlik Plateau sits on the rear slopes of Nohutlu Hill and can be reached with a short drive from the city center.

Gelin Kayası (Bride's Rock), right next to the plateau, is also the setting for the legend that gives the area its name. The red flowers blooming in front of the rocky valley view are a detail visitors often recall alongside the legend.

According to legend, the flowers sprang from the bride's tears

The story of Gelin Kayası has been passed down by word of mouth for centuries. According to the legend, when a wedding procession was raided by bandits, the bride and groom, realizing they could not escape, prayed: "My God, do not let us fall into the hands of these bandits, turn us either into stone or into birds." As the bride turned to stone, the groom became a bird and soared into the sky. Locals link the red flowers that bloom at the foot of the rocks every May to the bride's flowing tears, and the white birds seen in those days to the trace of the groom.

Environmental Senior Engineer Nurdan Taşarsu, speaking during a nature walk held in the area last year, drew attention to the plant's characteristics: "It is known as Gelin Kayaları and the Cehirlik tulip plateau. It is an endemic species, with a lifespan of about fifteen days," she said. Yeşim Pırlanta, a Yozgat resident who took part in the walk, described her feelings after seeing the area, saying: "I liked it very much. It really is a place that must be seen. I recommend it to everyone."

No protection decision has been issued yet

The plant that locals call "tulip" is considered, upon examination, to resemble a peony; there is no official identification of its exact species that has been made public. Academics from the Faculty of Agriculture at Yozgat Bozok University previously conducted a study in the area and assessed that the flower could be among the species requiring protection. It is noted that similar flowers have been placed under protection in Antalya, Konya, Muğla, Şile in Istanbul and Uşak, while no such decision has yet been made for Yozgat. Environmentalists and visitors want the area to be granted protected status as soon as possible, so that the short-lived plant is not harmed by heavy visitor traffic.

Cehirlik is also chosen for nature walks outside the flowering season. The rocky valley scenery and the trails around the plateau offer an alternative close to the city center for those seeking a day-hike route. Some businesses in Yozgat also produce souvenir items, such as cologne, bearing the name "Cehirlik Lalesi" to promote the area.

The period when the flowers are seen at their peak can vary between the first half and the middle of May; the exact date can shift by a few days each year depending on weather conditions. Those planning to see the area are advised to confirm the current blooming status from local sources before setting out.