Eastern Black Sea Coast Attractions
The Eastern Black Sea Coast has a number of significant attractions.
Read More
Bafra, Turkey
Bafra lies some 25km/15mi south of the wooded Bafra Burun where the Kizilirmak (Red River), known in antiquity as Halys, flows into the sea. Bafra is noted for its thermal springs, its tobacco and its caviar. Other sights include a 13th century bath-house and a 15th century complex consisting of a mosque, mausoleum and medrese. To the east of the town lies the coastal lagoon of Balik Gölü (Fish Lake). Further east along the Gulf of Samsun are large tobacco plantations.
Carsamba, Turkey
Çarsamba lies some 30km/19mi inland on the Yesilirmak delta. The river which was known as the Iris in antiquity flows into the sea northwest of the town at Cape Civa (ancient Ankon). To the east of the cape are numerous projecting spits of land and coastal lagoons created by an eastward movement of the beaches under the prevailing northwest winds, thus gradually producing a more regular coastline.
Duragan, Turkey
Visitors to the small town of Duragan 133km/82mi south of Sinop on the River Gökirmak will find a Seljuk caravanserai built in 1266 by Pervane Süleyman (Durak Hani). A large summer courtyard surrounded by vaulted chambers stands in front of the triple-aisled winter hall which points north. The corners of the complex are fortified with small semi-circular towers and the external walls reinforced with additional rectangular towers.
Fener Burnu
The coast road continues east to the small peninsula of Fener Burnu (Cape Yeros), one of the highest capes on the Black Sea coast. In antiquity it was known as Cape Hieron Oros or Holy Mountain. In order to secure the town of Trapezunt, the Byzantine emperor Alexios II built a castle here. Earlier Justinian is said to have founded the St Foca Monastery on the site. The cape has been a well-known landmark to seafarers since the days of the Argonauts.
Fetoka Monasteries
A number of monasteries are located in the isolated hilly region behind Sürmene. They lie to the south of Küçükdere and Köprübasi, both of which are accessible by reasonable roads from Sürmene (20km/12mi). Until 1923 they were used by Greek monks. Most of these monasteries now have ruined interiors and three of them can only be reached on foot and with the help of a guide: Charveli and Oma monasteries (20km/12mi south of Köprübasi on the heights of the upper Manahoz Deresi) and the Seno Monastery near Küçükdere to the south.
Havza
Around 80km/50mi southwest of Samsun a number of other places boast thermal springs. The bath in Havza was mentioned in 1650 by Evliya Celebi and was the Roman town of Thermae. In Havza, like many other seaside resorts whose history goes back to ancient times, a bathing business was set up near the 13th century Seljuk building (two baths). Another thermal bath can be found in ancient Laodikea (Ladik) alongside the small, pretty Lake Ladik (Ladik Gölü).
Hopa, Turkey
Hopa is the most easterly Turkish Black Sea port and lies in a wooded setting 8km/5mi from the Georgian border at Kemalpasa (hotel).
Ordu, Turkey
Ordu occupies the site of ancient Kotyora, an Ionian colony. Here Xenophon and his Ten Thousand Greeks are said to have embarked for Sinope in 401 B.C.. When King Pharnakes moved families from Kotyora to occupy Pharnakeia (Giresun), the town started to decline. In the Middle Ages the area around Ordu belonged to the empire of Trebizond. In 1913 much of town was destroyed by fire.
Ordu Tourist Office
(Regional Directorate)
Hükümet Konagi
A Blok, 1st floor
Ordu
Turkey
(Regional Directorate)
Hükümet Konagi
A Blok, 1st floor
Ordu
Turkey
Terme, Turkey
A little way south of Calti Burun (ancient Heracleum Promontorium or the Cape of Hercules) lies this small town on the Terme Çayi, which is probably the ancient Thermodon.
The ancient town of Themiskyra was situated at the mouth of the river. Themiskyra was also the name of the plain which according to Strabo began 60 stadia (10km/7mi) behind Amisos (Samsun). It extended to the River Thermodon and was noted for the fertility of its soil.
The ancient town of Themiskyra was situated at the mouth of the river. Themiskyra was also the name of the plain which according to Strabo began 60 stadia (10km/7mi) behind Amisos (Samsun). It extended to the River Thermodon and was noted for the fertility of its soil.
Amazons
(Eastern Black Sea Coast)
Themiskyra was believed to be the home of the Amazons, the warlike man-hating women of Greek mythology who were said to be descended from the god Ares and the nymph Harmonia. According to the legend, the women cut off their right breasts the better to use a bow and arrow. Amazon in Greek means without breasts. One of the Labors of Herakles (Hercules) involved him in going to Themiskyra and taking back to Argos the girdle of the Amazon queen Hippolyte. When the Greeks came to the area to establish their colonies, they found no Amazons and concluded that Herakles had either killed them all or driven them away.
Vezirkopru, Turkey
Vezirköprü was named after an old bridge across a tributary of the Kizilirmak. A number of old buildings in the town belonged to the Köprülüs, an upright and respected family of dignitaries which in the late 17th and 18th centuries produced five Grand Viziers including Mehmet Pasa (the Strict), Ahmet Pasa and Amcazade Hüseyin Pasa. To the northeast of the town stands Kapikaya, a rock with a Paphlagonian monument consisting of four front pillars. Other similar cave tombs can be found further north along the Kizilirmak.
Ziy Kalesi
Located on a overhanging rock face the medieval castle of Zilkalesi (Ziykale) lies in the mountainous Üsküt Dagi region 12km/7mi southwest of Çamlihemsin high above the Firtina Deresi valley.
