 Trabzon
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Trabzon is the biggest port on the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The city was originally settled in the 8th century B.C. by colonists from Miletus who named it Trapezus. In 400 B.C., Xenophon and his mercenaries reached Trapezus as mentioned in the Anabasis. |
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The city reached its zenith when Alexius Comnenus took control in 1204 after the crusader invasion of Constantinople. The rulers balanced their position between Selcuks, Mongols, and the Genoese. Their position, cut off from the interior by high mountains, kept them sheltered.
The city also had importance to the Ottoman Empire. Mehmet the Conqueror added the city to Ottoman territory in 1461 and Suleyman the Magnificent, a very important Ottoman, was born here. Trabzon continued to be an active commercial center until the newly constructed railroad between Erzurum and Ankara ended the city’s economic importance.
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: Trabzon (center), Akçabaabat, Araklı, Arsin, Beşikdüzü, Çarşıbaşı, Çaykara, Dernekpazarı, Düzköy, Hayrat, Köprübaşı, Maçka, Of, Sürmene, Şalpazarı, Tonya, Vakfıkebir, Yomra.
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.
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.
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Places Wich You Must See
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Sumela Monastery
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 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.
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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.
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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.
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Ayasphia Church
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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.
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Resort Pictures |
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Sumela Monastery
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Natural View
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Macka Highlands
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Harvesting Plants
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