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TRABZON
Area: 4.685 km²
Population: 795.849 (1990)
The modern city of Trabzon is the largest port along the Black Sea coast,
and at beginning of Caucassia and Iran transit road. Since the collapse of
the Soviet Union, there has been an influx of traders from the CIS,
especially neighbouring Georgia, and the city is becoming more cosmopolitan.
Trabzon is probably best remembered from the classic novel, “The Towers of
Trebizond”, and many earlier pieces of travel literature, although little
remains of the romanticised image of exotic culture and architecture. One of
the highlights is Aya Sofia, the medieval church with outstanding Byzantine
frescoes, the Russian Market and the old houses and mosques dotted around
the town. Trabzon is a good transport hub from which to explore the Black
Sea region.
DISCRITS
Discrits: Trabzon (center), Akçabaabat, Araklı, Arsin, Beşikdüzü, Çarşıbaşı,
Çaykara, Dernekpazarı, Düzköy, Hayrat, Köprübaşı, Maçka, Of, Sürmene,
Şalpazarı, Tonya, Vakfıkebir, Yomra
HOW TO GET
By Road: The main bus station is 3km east of the port, although many buses
will drop passengers off closer to the city. Regular services include
Istanbul (18 hours), Erzurum (6 hours), Ankara (12 hours), Artvin (4½ hours)
and Van (17 hours). There are daily buses to Georgia, to Tblisi (10 hours)
and Batumi (4 hours).
Bus station Tel: (+90 462) 325 2343, 325 2081.
By Air: Trabzon airport is the largest in the region, 8km east of the city
centre, with several daily direct flights from Ankara and Istanbul, some
which connect with flights from Izmir and Antalya. Minibuses and Havas buses
operate services between the airport and city.
Airport Tel: (+90 462) 325 7080, 321 3446. Fax: +90 462 325 7080
By Sea: There is a weekly car-ferry from Istanbul (41 hours) leaving
Istanbul on Mondays, and making the return journey on Wednesdays. It is also
possible to use this ferry for the shorter journeys between Rize and Samsun.
In the summer, there are four ferries a week, plus daily catamarans from
Sochi in Russia. The port is on the eastern side of the city centre.
Turkish Maritime Lines: (+90 462) 321 1156-57
WHERE TO
VISIT
Atatürk Palace
Sümela Monastery
Castles
Mosque and Churches
Hans
Ancient Cities
Highlands
National & Natural Parks
Ornithology Areas
Caves
ATATÜRK PALACE
Situated in a small pine grove in the Soguksu area, this mansion was
constructed at the beginning of the 20th century and belonged to Greek
banker Karayannidhis, who was forced to abandon it 20 years later. Ataturk
stayed here in 1924, 1934 and 1937 during his visits to Trabzon, and it was
formally presented to him a year before his death. It was then decorated
with furniture and décor from that period, filled with photographs of the
leader and opened by the city’s municipality as Ataturk Museum. It is still
an impressive building, set in immaculate gardens, and there are regular
buses running the 7km from the city centre.
SÜMELA MONASTERY
This Greek Orthodox monastery was constructed within a cavern in the middle
of a steep slope above dense forests, and lies 45km south of Trabzon. This
was the most important of many monasteries built in the area during the
Byzantine era and the best preserved, even after it was abandoned in 1923
when the Turkish Republic was created. Several years later one of the monks
discovered treasures - including the famous icon said to have been painted
by St Luke and responsible for several miracles. Recent restorations have
enhanced the quality of the different chapels, some of which contain
frescoes dating back to the 9th century.
Its setting is within Altindere national park, with thick forests, streams
and trout farms, making it a popular excursion especially for locals at
weekends. There are private bus tours from Trabzon, and it is also possible
by minibus or shared taxi.
CASTLES
The castle walls stretch from the coast to the hills in the city centre, and
are the best-preserved ruins of the region. The centre of the old fortified
town is Ortahisar, literally Middle Castle, with the upper citadel upstream
and Ortahisar Cami and several gates. This mosque, also known as Fatih Cami,
was probably a church in the 3rd century and later the main cathedral during
the Trapezuntine Empire. Fatih Tower was constructed by Empress Irene in
1340, and used as a meeting-place for Trabzon aristocracy. There is little
left of the upper citadel, once the Comnenius palace, but a few crumbling
walls.
Arsenal: It is mentioned that the tower, which is known as Fatih Tower or
Irene Tower Kulesi and has no definite information due to no inscription, is
constructed by Empress Irene (1340 - 1341) as meeting place of Trabzon
aristocracy.
MOSGUE AND CHURCHES
Trabzon in an important destination for religious tourism, containing many
interesting and historical mosques and churches. These include:
Gülbaharhatun Mosque, Iskenderpasa Mosque, Çarsi Mosque, Büyük Imaret Mosque;
Haghios Eugenius Church (Yeni Cuma Mosque), Panaghia Chrysocephalos Church
(Fatih Mosque), Santa Maria Church, Hagia Sophia Church and Santa (Dumanli)
churches.
HANS
Hans within the city include Vakif Han or Tas Han, a 16th century collection
of tradesmen and artisan shops set around a courtyard which are still in use
today. A semi-ruined Bedesten lies on the other side of Carsi Cami, the
largest mosque in town.
ANCIENT CITIES
Altındere National Park Altındere National Park of Maçka province of
Trabzon, is 45 km away from Trabzon city center, and hunting is forbidden
but eating, accommodation, camping services are maintained. Sümela Monastery
is also included by it.
Boztepe Lying southeast of the city centre, the area of Boztepe dominates
the surroundings and has always been highly respected through the ages. The
hill has fine views of the surrounding city and the sea, and is a popular
place for picnics in the summer, and there are the remains of a ruined
convent and monastery. The Convent of Panaya Theoskepastos dates back the
14th century and was used as a Greek Orthodox church until 1923. Kaymakli,
around 4km south, is a former Armenian monastery and contains well-preserved
frescoes dating back to the 17th century, with the courtyard now used by the
adjacent farm. There are some minibuses that go near to the monastery,
although a short walk is also necessary.
Çamburnu It is a pine grove - beach and picnic area of Sümene province on
Trabzon - Rize State Highway.
Sera Lake This lake was formed from a crater, the result of a landslide in
1950, and lies near Akçaabat, 2km from the sea and 8km west from the centre
of Trabzon. It is a good picnic area and there are also restaurants nearby.
TRABZON HIGHLANDS
The Sera Lake Area
Transportation: Take the Trabzon-Akçaabat road for 7 km. and then turn south
on the gravel road. It is 2 km. to the village. There are minibus services
between Trabzon and Akçaabat 24 hours a day.
Description: There are basic services like running water, electricity and a
post office, as well as a very fine camping and picnic area. Fishing in the
lake is allowed.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Accommodations are provided by the village
bed and breakfast houses. All types of basic necessities can be obtained
from the village. The local fish restaurant, tea house and markets are open
until late at night.
Maçka-Şolma Highland
Transportation: Access to the village 22 km south of Maçka is provided by a
dirt road. At the 16 km. mark, one will begin to see the beautiful lush
slopes of Mt. Kulin. In the summer there is a minibus service to the village.
Description: The infrastructure of this village perched at 1700 m. has been
completed. There is running water electricity and telephone.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Because there are no accommodation
facilities, camping gear should be brought, but a small market, green grocer,
tea house and butcher will provide some basic necessities.
Maçka-Mavura
Highland
Transportation: There is a minibus service in the summer to the Mavura
highland, located 18.5 km west of Maçka.
Description: There is running water and electricity is this highland village
as well as a tea house, a market, a butcher and a green grocer. The dirt
road between Mavura and Solma is an ideal 3.5 km hike.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Because their are no accommodations, camping
equipment should be brought in. Basic supplies can be obtained from the
village.
Maçka-Kiraz Highland
Transportation: The 22 km road between the town of Maçka and the village of
Gürgenağaç is asphalt. At the village take the dirt road south for 7 km. In
the summer, commercial vehicles offer passenger service to visitors.
Description: The village which sits at 1850 m. has a completed
infrastructure. Visitors can fish for trout in the ice-cold creek which runs
through the village or sled down the steep grass covered hills. The 'Ayeser'
festival is held here on the third Friday of July every year.
There is electricity, running water, a fountain and a post office, as well
as a small market, tea house, butcher and restaurant.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: There are bed and breakfasts in the villages
of Hamsiköy and Gürgenağaç. The markets and restaurants in the highland can
provide all other basic necessities.
Lapazan Highland
Transportation: Located south of Gürgenağaç, access to this village sitting
at 2200 m. is by means of a 27 km dirt road. A four-wheel drive vehicle is
recommended.
Description: There are no services in this highland village and in June and
July there are still scattered snowbanks on the slopes. The slopes here are
ideal for sledding as the vegetation is thick enough not to be crushed down
and killed.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring camping equipment if you intend to
stay over night in this pristine area.
Maçka-Çakırgöl Highland
Transportation: Access to the village is provided by a dirt road that turns
off to the right 5 km out on the Maçka - Meryemana road and continues for
another 90 km. Sometimes it is possible to get a ride with one of the
commercial vehicles using the road. Off-road vehicles should be used to get
to the Çakırgöl highland.
Description: On the way to the 2504 m. Çakırgöl Highlands, you will pass by
the highland villages of Arnavutluk, Kırantaş, Akarsu, Ayraksa, Livayda
Kurugöl, Mesaraş Furnoba, Kasapoğlu, Camiboğazı, Ortaoba and Deveboynu.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: You should bring your own tents and other
basic camping supplies.
Çaykara - Uzungöl Tourist Center
Transportation: There is year-round transportation to Uzungöl, which is 20
km from Çaykara.
Description: Situated at 1250 m., Uzungöl, with its unparalleled natural
beauty, has become a popular tourist destination in the last few years. The
infrastructure is complete and the 500,000 m2 lake has large numbers of
trout and carp. Ten kilometers south of Uzungöl in the Holdizon Mountains is
Lake Balıklıgöl, a perfect place to take a hike and observe wildlife in a
pristine unspoiled environment.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: There are lodgings at Uzungöl which command
a view of the lake. There are a number of restaurants and wooden bungalows
(72-bed capacity), all of which are open year-round.
Karadağ Tourist
Center- Karadağ Highland
Transportation: Access to the village is provided by turning west on a dirt
road 12 km out on the Akçaabat - Düzköy road. Continue for another 28 km in
order to reach the village. Commercial vehicles offer transportation during
the summer months.
Description: The oxygen-rich air of this village sitting at 1946 m has made
it a popular place for those suffering from lung problems. The village
infrastructure is complete. Wildlife here is abundant and souvenirs and gift
items are available.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: There is a bed and breakfast with 10 beds
and a small market, a bakery, a teahouse and a restaurant.
Karadağ Tourist
Center - Hıdırnebi and Kuruçam Highlands
Transportation: You can get to the village by turning west on the dirt road
12 kilometers out on the Akçaabat - Düzköy road. The road is open year-round
and commercial vehicles provide transportation. It is one kilometer from
Kuruçam to Hıdırnebi.
Description: With an elevation of 1742 m., the village has a completed
infrastructure. The 'Hıdırnebi' Festival, which is held July 20-22, is held
on Hıdırnebi Mountain, a beautiful lookout with a spectacular view. In the
forest it is possible to see wolves, foxes, jackals and other wild animals
and it is a great place for a photo safari..
The local villagers sell hand-made bags, woolen socks, woven baskets and
kitchen utensils such as wooden spoons and churns.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: There is a small market, green grocer,
butcher, bakery, restaurant and teahouse. During the summer a bed and
breakfast provides accommodations. In the village of Acısu, there is a
mineral spring and a bed and breakfast.
Tonya-Erikbeli Tourist Center- Erikbeli Highland
Transportation: From Tonya it is 24 km to the Erikbeli Highland. In the
summer months, commercial vehicles provide transportation.
Description: The infrastructure of this village situated at 1800 m. has been
completed. The Erikbeli Tourist Center is located at the intersection of the
roads leading to the highlands of Kadırga, Çatma Obası, Sazalanı, Zigana and
Ken. The area between the highlands of Erikbeli, Sazalanı, Ken, Sinlice,
Şıkkıranı and Sis dağı is an excellent place for taking nature walks. The
Ken highland is 9 km north of the Erikbeli Tourist Center and the Şıkkıran
highland is in the forest 19 km north.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your own camping equipment as their
are no facilities, but meat, milk, eggs, bread and the like can be obtained
in the villages.
Sazalanı Highland
Transportation: The Sazalanı highland is 5 km west of the Erikbeli Tourist
Center down a dirt road which is serviced by commercial vehicles during the
summer months.
Description: The infrastructure of the village sitting at 1700 m. is
complete. There is a restaurant, teahouse and small market.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your own camping gear, but basic
supplies can be obtained from the village.
Sis Dağı Highland
Transportation: Access to the village of Sis dağı is provided by a 25 km
dirt road out of the Erikbeli Tourist Center.
Description: Improvements have been made to the infrastructure of the
village which sits at an elevation of 1550 m. There is a small market,
butcher and teahouse. Every year on the third Saturday of July the 'Sis
Dağı' Festival is held here.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your own camping gear, but basic
supplies can be obtained from the village.
Kadırga Highland
Transportation: The Kadırga Highland is 14 km. east of the Erikbeli Tourist
Center. Commercial vehicles provide transportation in the summer months
along this dirt road.
Description: This village, with an elevation of 2300 m. is located right
around the tree line. Every year tens of thousands of people come to the
'Kadırga' Festival held here. During the folk dances, competitions, and
musical entertainment, literally tons of food and drink is consumed and the
whole area looks like a huge bazaar or fairground.
There are basic services such as electricity, running water and toilets as
well as a small market, butcher, bakery, restaurant, sewing supplies shop
and teahouses.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your own camping gear, but basic
supplies can be obtained from the village.
Çatma Obası Highland
Transportation: It is located 14 km east of the Erikbeli Tourist Center and
9 km south of Tonya. As there is no transportation available, car rental is
recommended.
Description: This is a very small highland, with an elevation of 2200 m. It
is possible to take nature walks between the Erikbeli-Kadırga-Çatma Obası
Highland and the Zigana Ski Center. There are several sites in the area
which have legends attached to them, for example Mızraklı Su, Şehitler
Tepesi and Çıngıraklı Kuyu.
Mızraklı Su: According to legend, during a battle one of the soldiers gets
really thirsty. He takes a spear and breaks it in half and throws the two
pieces, one to the right and the other to the left, with all of his might.
From the place where the first part stuck in the ground, water begins to
spring up and it flows down to where the other part of the spear stuck in
the ground and disappears. The upper part of this small stream which
mysteriously disappears into the grass 50-60 meters down the hill, is
protected by a concrete barrier.
Çıngıraklı Kuyu The sound of a rock thrown down the well continues for a
long time and that is where the well gets its name. The opening is a cave
that is covered by snow most of the year.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Camping gear and picnic supplies should be
brought in as there are no facilities.
Düzköy (Haçka Obası)
Highland
Transportation: Access to the village is by way of a 12 km dirt road that
begins in the village of Düzköy (40 km. out of Trabzon).
Description: The village, which sits at 1784 m., has basic services. Because
of the Kadırga Festival on the 3rd Friday of July and the Karaabdal Festival
held on the 14th of August, the tomb of Haçkalı Baba located here has a lot
of visitors. There is a small market, butcher, green grocer, bakery and a
teahouse.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: There is a bed and breakfast here with 20
beds and plenty of places to buy food and drink.
NATIONAL & NATURAL PARKS
Altındere Valley National Park
Uzungöl Natural Park
Trabzon - Altindere
National Park
Location: This is the best known park in the Black Sea region, and lies to
the west of Trabzon.
Transportation: The park can be reached via the 48km road connecting Trabzon
to Macka.
Highlights: In addition to the wide range of flora and fauna, the Sumela
Monastery is one of the main sites of the park. Also known as Meryemana,
because it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it lies at an altitude of 300m
and was the centre of Christianity in the region. It also has a very
significant place in the history of art. It is thought that the monastery
was constructed in the 4th century, although Alexios III, (1349 - 1390) can
be named as the real founder. It was extended in the 19th century, at a time
when it enjoyed its most popular period.
The entrance is via a narrow and long staircase, and consists of water
canals, library, kitchen, guest rooms, cisterns, and the pool in which holy
water was collected. The building clings dramatically to the sheer rock wall,
overlooking mountain forests and mountain springs.
The flora in the park is very rich, the dominant species being the Eastern
spruce tree. Fir trees, Scotch pine, chestnut, oak, lime tree, willow, black
pine, Caucasian honeysuckle, and forest rose all cover the area. The main
species of animal are deer, roe deer, wild goats, wild boar, bears, wolves,
jackals, foxes, and lynx, some of which owe their survival to the local
flora.
Facilities: Most people visit between April and October, for trekking and to
visit the monastery. There are tourist bungalows in specific areas of the
park which can be reserved through the office.
Trabzon - Uzungöl Natural Park
Location: The park is in the Cankara district, 25km from Trabzon and 19km
from Cankara.
Transportation: The park can be reached via the 010 state highway from
Trabzon, then from Caykara for another 19km.
Highlights: The 1625 hectares of the park were designated a Nature Park in
1989 because of the rich plant life, wildlife and sightseeing potential. The
dominant tree species is Eastern spruce, and there are also badger, bearded,
alder, horn-beam, hazelnut, oak, mountain elm and silver birch trees.
Species of animals include mountain goat, roe deer, bear, wolf, wild boar,
marten, badger, lynx, jackal, fox, rabbit, squirrel, wild ducks, birds of
prey, trout and various kinds of reptiles.
The most important river in the area is the Demirkapi, and the Uzungol Lake
was formed as a result of the rocks closing the mouth of the river. 10km
south of the lake is the Norizca mountain, with an altitude of 300m. The
best time to visit the park is between April and October.
Facilities: There is accommodation in the park.
CAVES OF TRABZON
Çalköy Cave
Location: Trabzon, Düzköy District
The cave is located at the Çalköy Borough of Düzköy.
Properties: The entrance part of the cave is at average human height. After
the first 150 meters, stalactite and stalagmites are encountered. The cave
is thought to be extremely long and the exact length is unknown. There is a
river flowing through the river. The cave has partially wide locations and
partially narrow locations. There is a castle established at the upper side
of the cave dominating the area.
Akarsu Village Cave
Location: Trabzon, Maçka District
The cave is located inside the borders of Akarsu Village of Maçka.
Properties: It is a big cave. The cave had been formerly used for shelter
and accommodation. It is said that there are 72 rooms inside the cave. There
are numerous stalactite and water pools inside the cave. A detailed
exploration had not been carried on yet.
TRABZON
GEOGRAPHY
Trabzon has typical of a Black Sea climate, with rain the year round and
temperatures reaching up to around 27°C in the summer. Winters are cool and
damp, and the lowest temperature is around 5°C in January. The water
temperature fluctuates between 10° - 20°C throughout the year.
HISTORY
The city was first founded by Colonists from Sinope and Miletus during the
8th century BC, originally called Trapezus (derived from the ancient Greek
word for table) and situated above the harbour. It prospered under the
Romans and Byzantines, mainly in the shipping trade, and as a branch of the
Silk Road.
When the Fourth Crusaders seized Constantinople in 1204, the imperial family
from Comnenus established an empire along the Black Sea Coast and Alexius
set up the Empire of Trebizond. This was a golden era for the city, and the
13th and 14th centuries saw the successful reign of Alexius II who created
great wealth, trade and culture, making Trebizond something of an artistic
icon to rival the great Italian Renaissance.
His reign ended after a destructive civil war in 1341, and over a century
later Mehmet the Conqueror brought the city under Ottoman rule and revived
the port as a trading centre. The city was then conquered by in 1461 by
Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and while Selim the Grim was the Prince, Suleyman the
Magnificent was born here and came to power in 1520. During the late Ottoman
period, the city had a great Christian influence in terms of culture, and a
wealthy merchant class who created several Western consulates. The city is
still a busy trading centre, more so after the collapse of the USSR,
although the shipping industry fell into decline after the rail route
between Ankara and Erzurum, and the road to Iran.
WHERE TO EAT
One of the most common ingredients of the region is anchovy, which is found
in many dishes like hamsi pilaf (anchovies cooked with rice) and kaygana (omelette
or pancake). Savoy cabbage grows locally and is roasted, and other common
dishes include cornflour bread, Trabzon pide, Akcaabat meatballs and
Hamsikoy rice pudding.
WHAT TO BUY
Trabzon boasts a unique woven hand-made silver jewellery, widely available
in Kemeralti Bazzar, which is the main shopping centre for the city’s
residents. It is based on the traditional single storey arasta style
corridor, and narrow pavements. The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths bazaar is
also interesting, and the main entrance to the bazaar is Kunduracilar
Caddesi. The Russian market, situated on the east of the city centre around
Comlekci Caddesi, is interesting for its imported Russian goods sold by
traders from across the border.
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
- Exploring Trabzon castle, lying between the sea to the hills and the best
protected structure of the region,
- Visiting the 19th century Atatürk palace, a gift from Trabzon,
- Seeing Fatih (Irena) Tower,
- Visiting the area during the Plateau festivals, from the first Sunday May
until the end of August,
- Making a trip to Sumela Monastery,
- Feasting on savoy cabbage, kayana and Hamsiköy rice pudding,
- Visiting Uzungöl,
- Tasting trout with butter, and sampling the unique dishes of the Black Sea.
CONTACTS
Governorship : (+90-462) 230
19 70 - 230 19 50
Municipality : (+90-462) 322 46 01
Police : (+90-462) 230 19 85
Hospital : (+90-462) 230 22 97
Provincial Directorate : (+90-462) 230 19 10 - 230 19 11
Tourism Information Office : (+90-462) 321 46 59
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