03.11.2025 12:49
The village of Pırıklı, located within the borders of the Çerikli town in the Delice district of Kırıkkale, was completely abandoned 35 years ago. After the last village headman left the village following five years of living alone, the settlement became entirely desolate. Today, the village's name has even been erased from satellite maps.
The village of Pırlıklı, located within the borders of the Çerikli town in the Delice district of Kırıkkale, was completely abandoned 35 years ago due to intense migration. Only ruined stone houses and traces of the past remain at the site of the village, which is not even visible on satellite maps.
The village of Pırlıklı, which is located within the borders of the Çerikli town in the Delice district, was once one of the most vibrant settlements in the region. The villagers, consisting of about 30 households, sustained themselves through agriculture and livestock. Most of the houses were made of stone and adobe, and these structures, which kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter, were the most distinctive symbol of village life. However, due to increasing migration over the years, the population in the village decreased. As the youth migrated to big cities, the village gradually fell silent.
THE VILLAGE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MAPS
About 35 years ago, with the last muhtar leaving the village, Pırlıklı was completely emptied and soon after was erased from official records, becoming invisible on maps as well. Today, only the remnants of ruined stone and adobe houses, a few fruit trees, and traces of the past can be found in the area where Pırlıklı is located.
Cengiz Kuzaytepe, who stated that his childhood years were spent in the village of Pırlıklı, told an İHA reporter that their lineage traces back to the Kayı tribe. Kuzaytepe said, "Our past goes back to the Kayı tribe; we are Turkmen. Migration occurred from the Sivas side to this area. When we check our family tree through the E-Government portal, we see that our lineage extends to a branch of the Kayı tribe on the Sivas side. Families came here during those times, and this village was established," he said.
NOT EVEN VISIBLE ON THE MAP
Kuzaytepe, who explained that people lived in the village until 35 years ago, said, "The village, which started with about 30 households, continued to exist until 35 years ago. We had one muhtar left; after he stayed alone for 5 years, he handed over the muhtar seal to the district governor's office. It was decided in a provincial meeting to close the village and attach it to Karpuz village. Thus, our village was officially closed. It is not even visible on maps now; it has been completely erased. Still, we are cultivating our lands. However, there is not even a single house left in the village; it has almost turned into a mountain landscape," he said.
"YOUNG PEOPLE MIGRATED TO CITIES"
Describing his childhood memories in the village, Kuzaytepe said, "I miss it so much. We used to live together in those tiny houses with 8-10 people. There was a very sweet, peaceful, and joyful life; I still remember it. There was no stove; we cooked and warmed ourselves on the fireplace. Even in that situation, we were happy living in tiny houses with 8-10 people. Those were the best years of my childhood. Over time, the growing youth migrated to cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Kırıkkale for work and school," he said.