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| Trabzon | ||
| province | Trabzon | |
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| Residents | 807.903 (2018) | |
| height | 0 m | |
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Trabzon (earlier Trebizond) is on the south coast of the Black Sea in the Turkey. It has about 780,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the province of the same name. Due to the rich history, this offers a lot to discover. But above all, Trabzon is a lively city with good shopping opportunities and a surrounding area with alpine character and hiking opportunities.
background
history
Milesian immigrants settled here in the 6th century BC. Probably these came from Sinop. Originally, this place was called Trapezos (derived from the Greek) due to the table-like elevation on which the castle was built. Trapezos soon developed into an important trading center, as caravan routes met ship routes here. When in the 2nd century BC When the Romans conquered the region under the leadership of Lucullus, Trapezos was not sacked due to its pro-Roman stance, in contrast to many other cities in the region. To this fact Trabzon owed a further expansion in the next centuries. It was not until 260 AD that the Ostrogoths were the first to succeed in conquering Trabzon. With the emerging Byzantine Empire, Trabzon was developed as an important trading city with its own governor. As the fate of the Byzantine Empire increasingly neared its end in the 12th century, Trabzon broke away from Byzantium as an independent empire under Alexios Komnenos V. But on October 26th, 1461, 9 years after Constantinople, this fell against the troops of Mehmet II, who drove rather overexploitation and disempowered the local upper class without implementing adequate replacement. He also drew many traders, craftsmen, etc. to Constantinople, which turned out to be a loss that could no longer be made up, from which Trabzon recovered only with difficulty. It was not until 1507 that Selim I was the first to invest in the city again by building a mosque. But already 12 years earlier in 1495 Kanuni Sultan Suleyman was born in Trabzon, who also spent his childhood here until he would go down in history as Suleyman the Great. In the 18th century Trabzon was expanded again militarily and in the 19th century by several religious ones Schools and the Çarsi mosque expanded, so that Trabzon soon became a regional religious center again. During the First World War, the city was briefly occupied by Russian troops and then belonged to Armenia for a few years until it was reassigned to Turkey in 1923.
economy
Since the coastal road used as a transit route runs here, as well as ferry connections with Russia and Georgia, Trabzon is today particularly important for Turkey as the first major port of call to and from the Russian neighbors. In the surrounding area you will mainly find tea, tobacco and nut plantations, which represent an essential guarantee for the prosperity of the region. In recent years, many foreign companies have settled here (in the first 5 years of the 1990s alone, the number increased from 5 to 500). A free trade zone, university and the modernization of the airport and shipping port are intended to support the economic upward trend to be further advanced.
getting there
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- By plane from Ankara or Istanbul. The airport is about 6 km from the center. A taxi ride costs less than € 10.00. THY, SunExpress, Onur Air, Atlasjet and Flyair offer domestic flights several times a day Ankara and Istanbul at. Flight connections and bookings can be made on Tel. 4444359 for Flyair and via tel. 3231212 for all others inquire or make.
- The bus from Istanbul (50 TL, 17 hours) runs several times a day. There are bus connections to Antalya, Bursa, Erzurum, Istanbul, Kars, and Samsun. The bus station is in the center opposite the Iskender Pasa Mosque. The travel agencies can be found at Ataturk Alani
- By ship there are ferry connections with the Russian one Sochi, the Georgian Batumi and of course with Istanbul. The travel agency is located on Iskele Caddesi.
mobility
In Trabzon, too, you can get around comfortably with the Dolmuş (shared taxi). All bus connections in the inner-city area can be found at the central Ataturk Alani. The buses on the coastal road start to the east at the Russian bazaar on the coastal road and to the west in the Pazarkapı district.
Furthermore, there are of course all national and international car rental companies or the possibility of taking a taxi.
Tourist Attractions
For orientation, it is recommended to first go to the tourist information (Turizm Danişma, Tel .: 90 462 3264760) at the Iskender-Paşa mosque. In addition to a free city map and museum guide, there are competent tips for exploring the city and the surrounding area.
Downtown:In the city center, which rises on three hills, numerous historical sights can be found:
- Küçük Ayvası Kilise. St Anna Church. The oldest structure in Trabzon dates from 884 AD. This Armenian church was freshly restored a few years ago, but unfortunately not open to the public. But this church is also an eye-catcher from the outside. The relief set into the walls above the main entrance is particularly noteworthy. Since the church is not directly signposted and properly built, it is relatively difficult to find. From Ataturk Alanı it is best to follow Kahramanmaraş Caddesi to the west. After about 500 meters there is a school on the left. If you follow the small alley behind the school, you will inevitably come across the church after less than 50 meters.
- Trabzon Müzesi. After its financial ruin, the former building of the banker Kostaki Teophylaktos from 1889 was initially used as a headquarters during the War of Independence, accommodation for Ataturk and a girls' school. From 1987 to 2001 the building was extensively renovated and opened to the public again on April 22, 2001 as the municipal museum. Surrounded by beautiful ceiling paintings, finds from the area are displayed in two sections (ethnographic / archaeological).Open: Mondays are closed, otherwise the museum is accessible from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for 5 TL.
- Yeni Cuma Camii. The former Eugenioskirche was built in the 13th century. The shrunken head of the martyr Eugenios is said to have been kept here. When Mehmet II performed his Friday prayer for the first time after the conquest, it is said to have been right here. So the Christian wall paintings were removed, a minaret was added and this church was converted into the "New Friday Mosque".
- Ortahisar Camii. The church of the "golden headed virgin", built in the 11th century AD, was supplemented by a minaret in 1468 and turned into a mosque.
- Gulbahar Hatun Camii. This mosque was built by Selim I in 1507, making it the oldest mosque in Trabzon. Selim I had this built for his mother, and consequently there is a mausoleum here. A small tea garden borders the mosque and invites you to linger.
In the city area: Trabzon also has a lot to offer outside of the direct city center area or especially here:
- Aya Sofya. Hagia Sofia. This church in the west (3 km from the city center), built around 1200 AD, was completely rebuilt around 100 years later to its present form. In 1427 the bell tower was added. The church was originally part of a monastery complex. But after Mehmet II's troops had taken Trabzon, the monastery complex was removed and the church turned into a mosque. During the Russian occupation, the original Christian paintings were exposed again. Under Turkish direction, the church was finally extensively restored around 1960 and converted into a museum. In 2012, a religious interest group successfully sued for the conversion of Hagia Sofia back into a mosque. In the course of this, the frescoes inside were hung with white fabrics so as not to disturb the believers while they were praying. The sculptures on the outer walls and the relief representation of the creation story in the southern vestibule are still worth seeing. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the mosaic consisting of 19 marble pieces in the floor of the main room. The frescoes in the dome are unfortunately covered by fabrics and cannot be seen. These are of a perfection that neither in Byzantine art in Istanbul still in Byzantine art in Cappadocia are to be found. The mosque is located on the site of the Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi), which has been expanded to include a village house exhibition in addition to the church / mosque and tower since 1996. The traditional way of building and living in the Black Sea region is explained here using two different types of wooden houses. A tea garden is integrated. There are also various tombstones and a small temple ruin in the Hellenistic style on the site. Nobody could explain the meaning and exact origin.Open: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: Entry is 3 TL.
- Boztepe. This elevation (230 m) in the south of Trabzon has been the sacred mountain in Trabzon since ancient times. The ruin from Kizlar Manastiri, a former monastery, still bears witness to this today. Today Boztepe is a popular excursion destination as a vantage point, for dining in one of the restaurants or for newly married couples.
- Kaymaklı Manastırı. Even further south in the Kaymaklı district are the ruins of the monastery named after the district (or vice versa). This 15th century monastery was not abandoned by the last monks until 1923. The frescos preserved in it are particularly worth seeing.
- Ataturk Köşkü. After Ataturk stayed three times in this villa from 1890, it was bequeathed to Ataturk. Since then, this picturesque property has been meticulously maintained and is always worth a visit. In addition, history buffs are brought closer to Ataturk's life through a small collection of Ataturk photographs.
In the surrounding area: The highlights of Trabzon can be found in the surrounding area.
- 1 Meryam Ana Manastırı (Sumela Monastery), Altındere Vadisi, 61750 Maçka / Trabzon. The highlight of every visit to Trabzon is an excursion to the monastery ruins 45 km away. The im Altindere Vadisi Milli Parki The monastery lies in a steep rock face and is a breathtaking sight from a distance. The monastery was founded around the alleged site of the Panagia Sumela or the so-called Maria vom Schwarze Berg. Angels are said to have made this image of the Virgin Mary supposedly painted by Saint Luke Athens in a crevice here. The monks Barnabas and Sophronios found out about it through divine inspiration and founded the monastery here around 400 AD. 100 years later, it was an important Christian center. In the following centuries the monastery was repeatedly hit by strokes of fate, but was rebuilt. So the monastery burned in 640 AD. and 1366 AD settled and was around 1100 AD. attacked and devastated by the Turkmen. Since St. Mary of the Black Mountain was recognized as an icon by both Christians and Muslims, this place remained an important place of pilgrimage until the First World War. The Komnenian Emperor Alexios was crowned here in the 14th century. In his opinion, Sultan Semit I owed his recovery to Maria, and the population thanked Maria for averting a plague of locusts. In 1921 the monastery came into the line of fire and on fire during fighting between the Turkish and Russian troops. Two years later, when the new Turk forcibly expelled their inhabitants of Greek descent, the last monks left the place with Maria to live in the vicinity of Thessaloniki to found a new monastery. In 1931 the icon was transferred from there to the Benaki Museum in Athens brought to where it is today. To get to the monastery, take the E97 inland to Macka and from there follow the signposted path into the mountains. Here it is advisable to park the car at the foot of the monastery mountain and conquer the last 250 meters on foot in order not to miss the beautiful but strenuous ascent. If you like it easier, just continue to the monastery. The frescoes in the grotto church, some of which date from the 14th century, are particularly worth seeing. The most recent frescoes come from the apse chapel in front of the grotto church from the 18th century. It is also possible to stay overnight on site (see accommodation), which is advisable for photographers, as the light is best in the morning.Open: Note: In 2016 it was closed for renovation, as has not been seen for a long time. Daily Open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (in winter 3:45 p.m.).Price: 25 TL. In addition, a fee of TL 10 per car or TL 5 per motorcycle must be paid for entering the Altindere Vadisi Milli Parki.
- St. George Monastery. The monastery in Peristera (27 km south of Trabzon) was founded in the 6th century and, in addition to all its piety, had the military mission of warning Trabzon of approaching enemies via a signal tower. The monastery burned down in 1906 and has been an abandoned ruin in the mountains ever since. There is the possibility of a guided tour from the village of Kustul.
- Monastery of St. John of Vazelon. This monastery, about 40 km southwest of Trabzon near Kiremitli, is little more than a ruin in the forest. The Johanneskapelle with its frescoes is in a very bad condition, but worth seeing. Kiremitli can be easily reached via the E97.
- Gümüşhane. The city, 120 km to the south, has around 35,000 inhabitants and is particularly worth seeing in the old town area. Marco Polo already mentioned this city. Nearby is the Karaca stalactite cave (Karaca Mağarasi).
- Düzkoy. Nearby is the Calköy Cave, which has an underground river with a waterfall. Furthermore, a large folk dance festival takes place in this village every year in July, in which the horon, a dance that is only widespread in the Black Sea region, is celebrated.Open: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Zigana pass. The E97 from Trabzon to Gümüşhane crosses the main ridge of the eastern Black Sea Mountains in an approx. 1.5 km long tunnel. Immediately before entering the tunnel, turn left and reach the top of the pass on a new paved road after 2 km. On the descent over the old pass road, which joins the E97 2 km before Torul, you will be rewarded with an old bridge from the Ottoman Empire. In the opposite direction, coming from Torul, turn right at the signpost "Çakırgöl Turizm Merkezi". If you also want to drive the old pass road on the north side, when coming from Trabzon, turn left into a small street shortly after the junction to the Sumela monastery. The old pass road meanders in the mountainside for several kilometers parallel to the E97 and joins the new access road shortly before the pass. Those who want to shorten the arduous journey can stay on the E97 until the village of Hamsıköy and first turn left towards the Zigana Pass. On the way there you will be rewarded with numerous viewpoints and picturesque mountain villages. But the highlight is the Zigana Pass where you can overlook the entire area towards the Black Sea and towards the south. For the daring, a wide network of alpine farm trails opens up, which are just about passable with a normal PWK and offer a great view of the mountains. You should plan some time to drive on the old pass road, as the road is small and partly in very poor condition. It is not advisable to drive on in winter.
activities
- Discover. The story is to be discovered here. The numerous testimonies and historical places in and around Trabzon tell of almost 3000 years of history.
- shop. Trabzon is famous for silverware (see shopping).
- Swimming. Bathing in the Black Sea is unfortunately not advisable in Trabzon, as the beaches directly on the coastal road are consistently nothing beautiful. If you want to swim, you should go to a Turkish bath, e.g. in the Sekiz Direkli Haman on Kalkanoglu Caddesi (daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). In Sürmene, 37 km away, there are still a few beautiful beaches where you can swim from July to September (see climate table).
- Soccer. With Trabzonspor[1] there is actually the only internationally successful football club outside of Istanbul. If you want to watch a game, you will find the Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadyumu in the west of the city.
shop
- The Russian bazaar in the eastern part of the city on the coastal road is famous for having everything you can imagine. But he's also famous for crime and pickpocketing. Be careful!
- The Bazaar district around the Carsi Camii houses many small shops. Trabzon is known for its silverware.
- Trabzonspor fan articles can be found in the Ts Club on Halkevi Sok.
kitchen
Of course, Trabzon is in the Black Sea region and you have to try everything that has to do with hazelnuts on the one hand and enjoy the fresh fish on the other. Trabzon is known for its fish, especially hamsi, which are anchovies that are mainly fished in winter. The anchovies are fried and served in flatbread (hamsili ekmek) or as börek (hamsi böreğı). Another delicacy is the kale rolls, which can be ordered as kara lahana sarmasi.
In the city center:
- Murat Balık, at the Ataturk Alanı. Tel.: 90 462 3223100. Simple snack, large portions of good quality for little money.
In the urban area:
- Boztepe Aile Gazinosu. Tel.: 90 462 3214536. Good food also a nice ambience.
In the neighborhood:
- Akçaabat: This small town at the gates of Trabzon is known nationwide for the Köfte prepared here. The restaurant is recommended here Nihat Usta on the Sahil Caddesi directly on the sea. Tel .: 90 462 2281752
Incidentally, Russian restaurants here have nothing to do with Russian cuisine, but rather with Russian ladies who are prostitutes waiting for customers in this restaurant.
nightlife
- Efes Pup, in the same building under Sişman on Maraş Caddesi 5. Tel.: 90 (0)462 3223445. Here you can get 0.7 liters of beer for € 2.50 until 11.30 p.m. !!!
- Stress cafe, at the Uzun Sok. Tel.: 90 462 3213044. Here you can de-stress on several floors. Whether with live music or while enjoying the water pipe.
accommodation
In the inner city area:
- Hotel Horon, Sıramağazalar Cad. No: 125; Trabzon, 61100 TR. Tel.: 90 462 326 64 55, Fax: 90 462 321 66 28, Email: [email protected].
- Usta Park Hotel, Telgrafhane Sok. No: 3; 61100 Trabzon (50 meters from Ataturk Alanı). Tel.: 90 (462) 326 57 00, Fax: 90 (462) 322 37 93, Email: [email protected]. Central, good hotel with a sophisticated breakfast (filter coffee & muesli bar) with a view of the Black Sea.
- Zorlu Grand Hotel, Maraş Caddesi No 9; 61100 Trabzon. Tel.: 90 462-326 8400, Fax: 90 462-326 8458, Email: [email protected]. Best and most expensive hotel in town.
- Lale Pension, AKÇAKALE / AKÇAABAT / TRABZON (17 km west of the city center, right on the beach). Tel.: 90 (462) 259 22 42, Email: [email protected]. Feature: pension.
At Sumela Monastery:
- Hotel Buyuk Sumela, MAÇKA / TRABZON (Located right in the center on the road to Sumela). Tel.: 90 (462) 512 35 40, Fax: 90 (462) 512 36 26, Email: [email protected].
- Aile Kayalar Pansiyonu, Sumela Manastiri Yolu (5 km before the Sumela monastery). Tel.: 90 (462) 531 10 57. Small pension in a beautiful location. 10 simple rooms. In the evening there is fresh trout on request and afterwards a sociable evening with fresh hazelnuts and one or the other effes.Feature: pension.
- Sumelas Camping, çoşandere köyü Maçka Trabzon (On the road to Sumelas, 5 km from the center of Maçka). Tel.: 90 (462) 531 11 76, Fax: 90 (462) 531 11 76, Email: [email protected].
- Inan Kardesler Hotel Uzungöl, Uzungöl. Tel.: 904626566260, Fax: 904626566066, Email: [email protected].youtube url used
Check-in: 14:00.Check-out: 12:00.Accepted payment methods: Master, Visa, Amex.
trips
In addition to the tours in the surrounding area (Sumela or Akçaabat) there are also tours to Uzungöl or Rize The tour operator Eyce Tours on Taksim Işhanı Sok [2] Tel .: 90 (462) 3267174 can help here in most cases.
literature
- Art and Identity in Thirteenth-Century Byzantium: Hagia Sophia and the Empire of Trebizond (Birmingham Byzantine and Ottoman Monographs) by Antony Eastmond at Variorum Verlag
- The Islamization and Turkification of the City of Trabzon, ca.1486-1583 by Heath W. Lowry published by Darwin
