Somuncu Baba Water Mill restored in Sivas

The 600-year-old Somuncu Baba (Şeyh Hamid-i Veli) Water Mill, located in the Gürün district of Sivas, has been restored to its original state. Built in the 14th century and mentioned in Ottoman decrees, the mill served as a vital resource for local villages, grinding wheat until the 1970s before falling into disrepair due to technological advancements.

The restoration project was completed in 2024 through a collaboration between the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Osman Boyraz, and the Es-Seyyid Osman Hulusi Efendi Foundation. To preserve the historical integrity of the site, specialized stone masons from Safranbolu and Elbistan were brought in to work using traditional methods.

In addition to the mill itself, the project included infrastructure improvements such as road paving, stream rehabilitation, and the installation of electricity lines. The mill, situated on the banks of the Tohma River, now operates using traditional water-powered methods.