Category: Black Sea Region

THE BLACK SEA REGION The vibrant green of Turkey’s lush, humid Black Sea Coast surprises those who imagine the country to be nothing but barren steppe. From the European border with Bulgaria to the Georgian border, dense pine forests cover the mountaintops while lush vegetation and bountiful crops grow in the lower elevations and valleys. […]

KIRKLARELI The Yildiz (Istranca) Mountains bisect the province of Kirklareli. Lush mountainous landscape dotted with quaint houses transport you to an idyllic and tranquil reverie. In the city of Kirklareli the oldest mosque is the Hizirbey Mosque, built in 1383. The mosque complex includes a bazaar. Nearby stands a hamam (batil) also built under die […]

SAVSAT 55km east of Artvin is Savsat, an alpine village surrounded by meadows of wild flowers and butterflies, rushing streams and quaint chalets. The local womens’ organization has established a training center for weaving in an attempt to keep the indigenous carpet and kilim traditions alive. Karagöl – Sahara National Park, 17km from Savsat on […]

ARTVIN A winding drive midway up a Mountainside takes you to Artvin, the capital of the province. At the foot of the escarpment, a ruined 16th-century castle crowns a rocky outcrop. Artvin is a charming city with beautiful old Turkish houses, typical of the region. The area’s mild climate makes summer visits delightfully refreshing and […]

HOPA Hopa, an attractive town at the foot of a forested mountain, is the last port before the Turkish-Georgian border. The international boundary actually divides the village of Sarp. 27 km northeast of the town of Borcka on the way to Artvin there is the wonderful alpine lake of Karagöl, with various pine trees, as […]

RIZE Rize (75 km east of Trabzon) is built on a mountain slope covered with tea bushes that look like puffy green pillows. Be sure to see this typical Black Sea city’s 16th-century Islam Pasa Mosque and the remains of a Genoese castle. From Ziraat Park you can take in a splendid panorama of the […]

BAYBURT Bayburt (77 km from Gümüshane), is situated on the banks of the Coruh River and lies on what was once known as the Silk Road. Marco Polo and the inveterate Turkish traveller Evliya Celebi both passed through this city. The remains of a Byzantine castle, as well as major mosques, Turkish baths and fascinating […]

GUMUSHANE Gumushane (88 km east of Trabzon), on the ancient trade route between Trabzon and ran was once of considerable importance. Many elegant buildings still remain. Set amid fruit groves and wild roses, the town is a natural stopping point between Trabzon and Erzurum. Take the opportunity to try the local rosehip syrup and marmalade. […]

SUMELA MONASTERY Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting for the 14th-century Sümela Monastery, perched high on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Surrounded by the ruins of the monks’ quarters, is a church covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. Southeast of Trabzon is Lake UzungöI, a lovely alpine lake surrounded […]

TOKAT Tokat, also on the Yesilirmak river, has many Seljuk and Ottoman monuments which lend a picturesque yet solemn aesthetic to the cityscape. Among the main historical buildings are the ruins of a 28 towered castle, the 11 th century Garipler Mosque and a Seljuk bridge. The 13th century Pervane Bey Darussifasi (Gok Medrese), one […]