Gumushane, Turkey Tourism

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Pontus mountain scenery, it has little scope for development. The economically backward and disadvantaged region in which it lies has one of the highest rates of outward migration of any in Turkey. Gümüshane is located in the midst of a very old mining district. Its name means "silver works".

History

In the 17th century Gümüshane was sited 4km/2.5mi south of the present town, nearer to the silver mines. Marco Polo mentions these mines in his "Travels". Lack of firewood for smelting led to their decline in the early 19th century In 1837 the town consisted of an (upper) Old Town close to the silver mines, and a newer settlement lower down. By 1870 the mines, which had been worked in the time of the Pontic kings as well as of the Roman and Byzantine emperors, were flooded. The deterioration of the Old Town, laid out like an amphitheater, was hastened by the Russian occupation of 1915.