The Black Sea coast is the greenest
and wettest of Turkey’s regions.
Lush meadows lie on high mountain plateaux and dramatic forested
peaks fall away to the sea. It is at the heart of Turkey’s
agriculture,
with tea plantations, abundant crops of fruit and nuts and
even tobacco
growing here. Fishing is also important to the region, and
the anchovy
forms an important part of its unique cuisine. This is a vast
region
with much to explore both on the coast and inland. In addition
to its
unique history, its unspoilt nature and mountainous terrain
have made
it popular for trekking and it also attracts those who want
to discover
a more traditional way of life.
 Amasra
is one of the highlights of the western Black Sea coast. It
is a sleepy, picturesque town , its charming harbour retaining
the remnants of its past glory – the ruins of a Roman
bridge, and the remains of two 4th century fortresses.Astay
here can easily be combined with a visit to Safranbolu, one
of the highlights of the area (see page 32) Continuing along
the coast to the east, it is wise to make a stop in Kastamonu
to visit its Seljuk and Ottoman monuments before heading out
to the spectacular Ilgaz National Park, where you can see
bears, foxes and deer. Also in the area is one of the largest
caves in Turkey the Ilgarini Cave, where you can descend some
250 metres.
 Trabzon,
once the medieval Empire of Trebizond, is the best base for
a tour of the eastern Black Sea coast. It is a modern cosmopolitan
city, the centre of trade with the ex Soviet states. One of
its highlights is the Church of the Divine Wisdom, Aya Sofya,
now a museum, which was built between 1238 and 1263. Its walls
display brightly coloured frescoes depicting themes from the
Bible. Get away from the hustle and bustle with a visit to
Atatürk’s villa, set in beautiful gardens above
the town. Probably the major attraction of the region, situated
just 46 kms south of Trabzon is the 14th century Sümela
Monastery. It perches dramatically on a sheer rock face, 270
metres above a deep gorge. Its walls are painted with brilliant
frescoes. To the south east of Trabzon is the beautiful alpine
lake of Uzungöl, ‘Long Lake’, surrounded
by lush meadows and stunning mountain scenery, where you can
sample the delicious local trout.
Those who want to experience the beautiful nature of this
region
at its best should head for the Ayder Plateau and the Kaçkar
Mountains to the east. The rushing rivers, the Fİrtİna and
the Çoruh
are ideal for canoeing and rafting, and the mountains themselves
are popular with climbers and trekkers. |
