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| Giresun | ||
| province | Giresun | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 135.920 (2018) | |
| height | 10 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Giresun (formerly Kerasos) is located on the south coast of the Black Sea in the Turkey and has approx. 90,000 inhabitants.
background
Giresun is located on a rock peninsula. In the center there is a picturesque old town, while the mountains with castle, alpine pastures and hazelnut plantations rise steeply in the background.
The place was founded around the 7th century, probably by Milesian settlers. The Pontic king Pharnakes occupied around 190 BC. Chr. Kerasos and renamed it Pharnakeia. But not even 100 years later the Romans came under Lukullus and he gave the city its old name again. The Romans discovered the cherry, which they named, derived from the Latin Cerasus Cerasium. Based on Lukullus' instructions, it was exported to Central Europe for the first time and many Central European names are still derived from the original name. After the city also became part of the Byzantine Empire had passed over, in the 12th century the Comnenes emperor took over who declared himself independent Trabzon the city. 1461, one year before the Empire Trabzon finally capitulated to Mehmet II, the place was conquered by the Ottoman troops.
In the area around Giresun you will mainly find cherry and nut plantations, which represent an essential guarantee for the prosperity of the region. Giresun is one of the largest hazelnut growing areas in the world.
A major highlight in Giresun is the so-called Aksu Festival on May 20th each year. During this festival everyone throws pebbles into the Aksu River seven times to make a great wish come true.
getting there
In the street
If you drive along the coastal road by car, it is impossible to miss the city. The bus connections are very good. All buses start from the bus station, which is 4 km in the direction Ordu is on the coastal road. In addition to the very good connections along the coastal road, there are good connections Ankara, Bursa and Istanbul.
By boat
Giresun is of course on the ferry connection Istanbul - Trabzon connected.
mobility
In Giresun, too, you can move comfortably with the dolmuş. All bus connections in the direction can be found at the central Ataturk Bulvarı Ordu, in the direction Trabzon or into the hinterland.
Of course, there are also car rental companies here (e.g. Sim Rent A Car, Ataparkı, Tel .: 90 2164444) or you can take a taxi.
Tourist Attractions
In the city:
- Giresun Kalesi. The castle in the city center was built by Phamakes I around 180 BC. It houses a restaurant and a tea garden with a terrace with a fantastic view. According to legend, there is a hidden cave under the castle, in which there is a church with a capacity of at least 1500 people.
- Zeytinlik Mahallesi. Narrow streets and beautiful houses characterize the old town quarter of Giresun. Until the 20th century, this part was still largely inhabited by Greeks and Armenians. The children's library is now housed in the church.
- Gogora Kilisesi. The former Armenian domed church is located directly on the Zeytinlik Mahallesi. It was built in the 18th century and converted into a museum in 1924. Smaller archaeological finds from the area are located here.
In the neighborhood:
- Giresun Adasi. The island, about 4 km away, is the only inhabited island in the southern Black Sea. Jason is said to have landed here with his Argonauts in search of the golden fleece. According to the story, he was shot at by birds with bronze arrows. On request, a fisherman will be happy to take you there in 30 minutes for 10 to 20 euros so that you can look for these birds yourself. However, you will find a ruin of a Byzantine monastery from the 10th century. Picnic facilities and a tea garden are also available.
- Balaban Mountains. The Balaban Mountains, an extension of the Eastern Pontic Mountains, run directly in the hinterland of Giresun. With an altitude of up to 3000 meters, this has many picturesque areas for trekking and hiking. Good starting points are the alpine pastures (Turkish: Yaylası) which are all about 40 to 60 km south of Giresun. Information on guided trekking tours or maps can be obtained from the tourist information (Tel .: 90 2164707). Free (only transport is chargeable) trekking tours are offered every Saturday. Once a day a dolmuş drives directly from Giresun to the alpine pastures.
- Şebinkarahisar. This town, which is around 100 km south of Giresun and has around 40,000 inhabitants, is approached by bus 3 to 4 times a day from Giresun and is already there due to the 17th century Taşhane Bazaar or the 12th century Licesi Church worth a trip. But the real sensation is the Roman-Byzantine castle, which sits high above the city on a ridge, the construction of which can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. There are many stories surrounding the place, which was initially called colonia under the Romans. One is, for example, the capture of the castle by the Seljuk troops under the leadership of Karaboğa. Since the castle was considered invincible, the Byzantine troops were relatively relaxed about the siege. This was then relatively unsuccessful after months. So that Karaboğa resorted to a ruse similar to the Trojan horse and smuggled a few boxes with elite soldiers into the castle to have the gates opened. Now he could take the castle in a flash. During the First World War, the castle and the place gained worldwide attention when Armenians holed up in the castle in front of Turkish associations in 1915. Some sources claim that these were Armenian civilians who wanted to protect themselves from forced relocation. The others claim that these were Armenian freedom troops who wanted to actively disrupt the supply routes through this place from here.
- Tirebolu. This little town 45 km east of Giresun on the coast with less than 20,000 inhabitants offers a castle complex from the 15th century and a few simple places to stop for food or overnight accommodation.
- Bedrama Castle. About 15 km from Tirebolu inland on the Harşit River are the ruins of Bedrama Castle. From the ruins you have a beautiful view of plantations and the Black Sea.
- Dogankent. In the town, 30 km inland from Tirebolu, there is a separate language consisting only of whistling sounds with its own grammar and vocabulary.
activities
- Discover. The story is to be discovered here. Above all, the various castle complexes from the different epochs of the region can inspire.
- Trekking / hiking. The mountainous hinterland is good for hiking and trekking. Information on Tel .: 90 2164707. Free (only transport is chargeable) trekking tours are offered every Saturday. Once a day a dolmuş drives directly from Giresun to the alpine pastures. Various festivals are also held there in July.
- Swimming. Bathing in the Black Sea is unfortunately not advisable in Giresun, as the beaches directly on the coastal road are consistently nothing beautiful or have already been built over. If you want to swim, you have to go to Tirebolu at least 15 km away.
shop
- Many regional delicacies, such as Deri Peynir, a regional cheese specialty, can be bought on the mountain pastures and in the city.
kitchen
Giresun likes to call itself the city of hazelnuts and cherries, so on the one hand you have to try everything that has to do with nuts and cherries and on the other hand enjoy the fresh fish. Hamsi, a small fish that is mainly fished in winter, is also served here alongside cabbage and cheese specialties from the hinterland.
- Konak restaurant, Sokakbaşı Düz Sok. Tel.: 90 2160271. International cuisine with a bar and a beautiful terrace.
nightlife
- Aretias disco-bar, Ataturk Bulvarı. Tel.: 90 2154327.
accommodation
- Hotel Kit-Tur, Arif Bey Caddesi 2, Giresun. Tel.: 90 2120245, 90 2120255, 90 2123032, 90 2123033, Fax: 90 2123034, Email: [email protected].
- Hotel Basar, Ataturk Bulvarı, Liman Mevkii, Giresun. Tel.: 90 2129920, Fax: 90 2129929, Email: [email protected].
health
In summer there are always "tick alarms" here. Therefore: If possible, do not crawl into the undergrowth. Take the socks over your pants and the good Autan against ticks.
Practical advice
In Giresun, people are not used to receiving foreign tourists. Therefore, the residents are very friendly, but usually speak neither German nor English. But thanks to the friendliness of the locals, you can usually go very far with your hands and feet.
The national code is 0454 and the post office is on Gazi Caddesi
trips
In addition to the area described under sights, there are of course excursions to Ordu and Trabzon Near.
literature
Web links
- http://www.giresun.bel.tr (tr) - Official website of Giresun
- Giresun travel guide [1]
