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The city of Trabzon is the largest port along the Black Sea Coast of Turkey. In the surrounding region citrus fruit, corn, and potatoes are grown, and deposits of iron, lead, and copper are to be found. Trabzon is famous for its "Hamsi" or small sardine fish, they harvest from the Black Sea, and they have a variety of meals made with this tasty fish.
You may reach Trabzon by air from Ankara and Istanbul. The Trabzon airport is 8 km east of the city center. There is a shuttle service into town. Trabzon may also be reached by long distance coach in about 18 hours from Istanbul. There are buses to Georgia from Trabzon and a weekly car-ferry with Turkish Maritime Lines from Istanbul (the journey takes more than 40 hours). The ferry stops in other Black Sea ports, such as Rize and Samsun.
Trabzon has many architectural landmarks from Byzantine times, including the Church of the Virgin of the Golden Head and the Church of Saint Eugenius-both now mosques-and the 13th-century Haghia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom), now used as a museum. Near Trabzon is the 14th-century monastery of Sumela.
The St. Sophia church is the most important historical building in Trabzon The first church was built by the Comnenus family in the 13th century and later enlarged by emperor Manuel Paleologos VIII in the same century. The church was converted into a museum in 1957. Some faint frescoes are still noticeable inside.
In Altindere National Park. 47 km southeast of Macka is the 14th century Sumela Monastery of the Virgin Mary, which is perched on the rock face 270 m above the valley. Within the ruins of the monastery are the remains of magnificent frescoes. It is a place of exceptional natural beauty. It was initially constructed on the steep surface of rock, as a small church in the 4th century, but later added to in the 11th century to become a considerable monastery with 72 cells for the monks.
This was the most important of many monasteries built in the area during the Byzantine era and is the best preserved. After the monastery was abandoned during the Republic Era, treasures including the famous icon thought to have been painted by St Luke, were rediscovered. Recent restorations have enhanced the quality of the different chapels, some of which contain frescoes dating back to the 9th century.
Other natural beauties of the area are the pretty mountain village of Hamsikoy or Gurgenagac, Kirazli and Solma, which are excellent meadow areas with magnificent landscapes and pure clean air, for outdoor activities. Camburnu is a beach and picnic area with pine groves on the Trabzon-Rize highway. Sera Lake is also interesting; this lake was formed from a crater, the result of a landslide in 1950, and lies near Akcaabat, 2km from the sea and 8km west of the Trabzon. It is a good picnic area and there are also restaurants nearby. In the winter visit the Zigana Ski-Center to feel the real joy of skiing.
Boztepe (Grey Peak), southeast of the city center dominates the surroundings and has always been highly respected through the ages. The hill has fine views of the surrounding city and the sea, and is a popular place for picnics in the summer. There are the remains of a ruined convent and monastery. The Convent of Panayia Theoskepastos dates back the 14th century and was used as a Greek Orthodox church until 1923. Kaymakli, around 4km south, is a former Armenian monastery and contains well-preserved frescoes dating back to the 17th century, with the courtyard now used by the adjacent farm. There are some minibuses that go near to the monastery, although a short walk is also necessary.
History The city was first founded by Colonists from Sinope and Miletus during the 8th century BC, originally called Trapezus (derived from the ancient Greek word for table) and situated above the harbour. It prospered under the Romans and Byzantines, mainly in the shipping trade, and as a branch of the Silk Road.
When the Fourth Crusaders seized Constantinople in 1204, the imperial family from Comnenus established an empire along the Black Sea Coast and Alexius set up the Empire of Trebizond. This was a golden era for the city, was 13th and 14th centuries, that it saw the successful reign of Alexius II who created great wealth, trade and culture, making Trebizond something of an artistic icon to rival the great Italian Renaissance.
His reign ended after a destructive civil war in 1341, and over a century later Mehmet the Conqueror brought the city under Ottoman rule and revived the port as a trading centre. The city was then conquered by in 1461 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and while Selim the Grim was the Prince, Suleyman the Magnificent was born here and came to power in 1520. During the late Ottoman period, the city had a great Christian influence in terms of culture, and a wealthy merchant class who created several Western consulates. The city is still a busy trading centre, more so after the collapse of the USSR, although the shipping industry fell into decline after the rail route between Ankara and Erzurum, and the road to Iran.
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.
Some of Trabzon's Traditional Crafts • Another feature of Trabzon is that it is an important crafts centre. Many travellers, among them Evliya Çelebi, and various researchers have praised the traditional crafts of the city. Only a few of these crafts, each of which once had its own street and bazaar, have managed to survive to the present day. Both the crafts and handicrafts that have survived in the city centre and villages and those that have died out may be summarised according to the materials used.
AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Trabzon and the Eastern Black Sea region, of which it is the metropolis, have two main agricultural products. About 20% of hazelnut and tea production takes place in Trabzon, the figures for 1995 being 70,000 tonnes of hazelnuts and 123,000 tonnes of tea. Apart from these two major products, the folloing were produced in 1995; 2,500 tonnes of tobacco, 145,000 tonnes of potatoes and 78,000 tonnes of maize.
In Trabzon, where much progress has been made in the sphere of fish farming in recent years, work is continuing on rearing fresh water fish such as trout and sea fish such as salmon.
TOURISM Together with tourism of this nature, Trabzon has also been selected as a pilot region for the development of “soft tourism”, one of our country's most important potentials, because of its forests and beautiful scenery. In the medium term, after the necessary infrastructure investments have been made, Trabzon will be Turkey's main plateau tourism centre. It also possesses a significant potential for yacht tourism
FOOD • 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.
The church is located inside a monastery complex which is two kilometers from west of Trabzon province. It is assumed to be constructed by the King of Commenos State I. Manuel between the dates in 1238 - 1263. The four pillared and three abscissa chapel located to the north is dated earlier than the structure.
The Hagia Sophia of the Trabzon is the most important structure of late Byzantine Period of the region. The structure was transformed into a mosque in the period of III. Murat in 1670 by Beylerbeyi Ali Bey. The structure was restored between the dates of 1958 - 1962 by the cooperation of Edinburg University and Charitable Foundations General Directorate and entered into service as a museum in 1964. The structure has a beautiful stonemasonry. It is also very rich in stone decorations and frescos.
The monastery is located 17 km. from south of Maçka district on a steep side of the Mother Mary Valley, 250 meters above the valley bottom inside a cave. The monastery could only be reached after a hard and long climbing but the wonderful landscape and spectacle of the monastery worth all efforts for climbing. There are numerous rumors relevant with the initial foundation of the monastery. The most common among these rumors is that the foundation of the monastery was laid by the monk Barnabas from Athens and his nephew Sophrenios.
The monastery is located 14 kilometre away from Maçka district, between the pine tree forest. The exact foundation date of the monastery in uncertain but some researchers claim that the foundation of the monastery could be between A.D. 270 - 317 years. The monastery had been restored by emperor Justinianus in 565 and undergo numerous repairs and restoration processes until the present day.
(Ortahisar Mosque - Panaghia Chrysocephalos Church-Center) The structure is known as the major church of Trabzon and is located in the Ortahisar quarter. It is assumed that the church was constructed over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple by Hanmibalianos, the nephew of Roman Emperor Constantin (A.D. 325 - 364).
İskender Pasha Mosque (Center) The mosque is located behind the Trabzon Town Hall in the Taksim Square. The structure is known to be constructed in 16th century by the Governor of Trabzon İskender Pasha. Various attachments had been constructed to the mosque in various times and has a beautiful stonemasonry.
Santa Maria Church (Center) The church was constructed by the order of Sultan Abdülmecid in 1869 - 1874 in order to be used by the foreigners who visit Trabzon and is still active. Rich decorations and the depictions of St. Andrew, St. Peter and St. Eugenius located on the northern and western walls are attractive.
Lying southeast of the city centre, the area of Boztepe dominates the surroundings and has always been highly respected through the ages. The hill has fine views of the surrounding city and the sea, and is a popular place for picnics in the summer, and there are the remains of a ruined convent and monastery.
Situated in a small pine grove in the Soguksu area, this mansion was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century. Ataturk stayed at there in 1924, 1934 and 1937 during his visits to Trabzon, and it was formally presented to him a year before his death. It was then decorated with furniture and décor from that period, filled with photographs of the leader and opened by the city’s municipality as Ataturk Museum. It is still an impressive building, set in immaculate gardens, and there are regular buses running the 7km from the city centre.
Sera Lake This lake was formed from a crater, the result of a landslide in 1950, and lies near Akçaabat, 2km from the sea and 8km west from the centre of Trabzon. It is a good picnic area and there are also restaurants nearby.
Situated at 1250 m., Uzungöl, with its unparalleled natural beauty, has become a popular tourist destination in the last few years. The infrastructure is complete and the 500,000 m2 lake has large numbers of trout and carp. Ten kilometers south of Uzungöl in the Holdizon Mountains is Lake Balıklıgöl, a perfect place to take a hike and observe wildlife in a pristine unspoiled environment.
ESİROĞLU Esiroğlu is one of the most beautiful towns of Trabzon.Located on the E-5 highway,it is 18kilometres far from the centrum and 11 km from Maçka.In the surrounding region,hazelnut and maize are grown.Means of livelihood is based on hazelnuts.The town has many beautiful picnic areas and some architectural landmarks.
Although many varieties of fruit and vegetable could be grown in Esiroğlu,because of its geographical structure most of the land is used for hazelnut.Most of the nearby villages are covered with hazelnut gardens. Animal husbandry, which is practised on a family scale in the town, has followed much the same pattern for years.
Zigana holiday resort is one of the best tourist attracions in the region.You can enjoy the beauty of the nature as well as taking part in activities such as rafting,jogging,trekking,paragliding,grass-boarding,cycling,hunting and winter sports.
VIRGIN MARY MONASTERY (SUMELA MONASTERY) The Sumela Monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, is popularly known as "Meryem Ana" (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forest near caves and sources of water. llThe Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of "Sumela" which derives from "Melas", meaning black. Although it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadağlar (Black Mountains), on which stands, it could also be associated with the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary. ,
According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests called Barnabas and Sophronius who came from Athens during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (AD 375 – 395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest Emperor Justinian who wanted it to be enlarged and restored. The Monastery reached its final, present form in the 13th century. It gained importance during the reign of Alexios III (1349 – 1390) of the Comnenian Empire of Trabzon, which had been established in 1204. Its income was assured from imperial funds. During the time of Manuel III, son of Alexius III, and the reigns of later princes, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants.
Like most other monasteries, the rights of the Sumela Monastery were preserved by the Ottoman Sultans and some special privileges were given after the Eastern Black Sea Coast came under the domination of the Turks. During the 18th century many parts of the Monastery were restored and the walls were decorated with frescoes. In the 19th century the Monastery took on an impressive appearence with the addition of larger buildings. This was the Monastery's heyday and it attracted many foreign travellers who mentioned it in their writings. The Monastery was seized by the Russian during the occupation of Trabzon between 1916 – 1918, and then in 1923 it was completely abandoned. The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, library and sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. These were built over a very large area. The large aqueduct at the entrance, which clearly supplied water to the Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches which now mostly restorated.
The entrance to the Monastery leads up by a long and narrow stairway. There is guard-room next to the entrance. The stairs lead from there to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of cave, which constitutes the centre of the Monastery and which was turned into a church , there are several monastery buildings. The library is to the right. The large building with a balcony on the front part of the cliff was used for the monks' cells and as guesthouse. It dates to 1860. The influence of Turkish art can be observed in the design of the cupboards, niches and fire-place in the rooms of the buildings surrounding the courtyard. The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The frescoes of the time of Alexios III can be seen on the inner wall of the Rock Church facing the courtyard. The frescoes of the chapel which were painted on three levels in three different periods are dated to the beginning of the 18th century. The frescoes of the bottom band are of superior quality. The frescoes of the Sumela Monastery are seriously damaged since they have largely been moved from their original settings. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The much important sections of Sumela has been restorated and restorations, conservations are still continued.
VAZELON MONASTERY Vazelon lies within pine forests 7 km to the west of Kiremitli village in the Maçka district of the province.It is also boasts a sacred spring and cave, in front of which the original monastery was founded. The present church and monastic cells dated from the 19th century. The chapel 9 m. to the north of this group of buildings dates from the 15th century, inside are a number of exquisite frescoes.
Maçka is a county of Trabzon.It is 29 km to the city centre.The county is 365m above the sea level. The population of the county is 11.600.
