Kastamonu Attractions

North Anatolia

The province of Kastamonu lies in that area of northern Turkey where the Pontic Mountains flatten out. The peaks rarely exceed 2,500m/8,000ft. The population is distributed more densely in the wider valleys of the region between the coastal mountains in the north and the mountain range to the south which acts as a barrier. This gently undulating high plateau is broken up by rivers some of which have carved deep valleys in the rock. Time seems to have stood still in the attractive Pontic town of Kastamonu which lies in the Gökirmak valley.

Timber facades, bay windows and roofs which are usually flat characterize many of the large well-preserved town houses two or sometimes three storys high, which rise up both sides of the valley's terraced slopes. Despite its proximity to Turkey's populous northwestern corner, Kastamonu and the surroundings are underdeveloped in economic terms as well as being poorly served by the transport network.

Only after Turkey became a republic did the links with the outside start to improve. Nevertheless, the first grammar school was established here in 1885 and it is still in existence. The small mining town of Küre supplies many of the local shops with copperware.

According to one theory, Kastamonu is a juxtaposition of Gas Kumana (Land of the Gasgas) - the Gasgas lived here under the Hittites ca. 1300 B.C., but Castra Comneni (Castle of the Comnenes) is a more likely derivation.

History

Before the Comnenes built their castle in the 12th century and established their dominance, the town was occupied by the Seljuks (11th century) and soon after by the Danishmends. Despite many attempts by Byzantium to reconquer the town, towards the end of the 12th century Castamon fell to the Isfeniyarogullari. Süleyman (1300-1339) the second ruler used the town as a base to subjugate Paphlagonia. The Ottomans seized control for a short period, but the rebuilt town became the seat of the Isfeniyarogullari until 1459, as Timur returned the regional princes to power. The town finally fell to the Ottomans.

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