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TRABZON
Trabzon, the major city of the region,
was founded in the 7th century B.C. by Miletian
colonists, and was later at the center of the Comnene
Empire established after the fall of Byzantine
Istanbul. The exiled Byzantine court ruled until 1461
when the Ottomans conquered the area. The jewel of
Trabzon's monuments is the restored 13th-century
Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque and
now as the Ayasofya Museum. Splendid frescoes, some of
the finest examples of Byzantine painting, cover every
one of the interior church walls. Several other
churches were converted to mosques, two becoming the
Fatih Mosque and the Yeni Cuma Mosque. The Ottoman
Gülbahar Mosque, a typical provincial style building,
is set in a lovely tea garden. Wooden houses fill the
old quarter nestled in the ancient fortifications,
which still retain the spirit of a medieval town. The
house in which Atatürk stayed has been made into a
museum. On the hills above
Trabzon, Boztepe Park offers a beautiful view of the
city and coastline. On the western slopes of Boztepe
Hill stands the Irene Tower, built by Empress Irene of
Trabzon in 1340. just east of the city, the village of
Sürmene has an impressive 19th-century mansion known
as the Kastel.
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AROUND TRABZON
Near
Trabzon, south of Akcaabat, the lovely highland
meadows of Karadag, Hidirnebi and Erikbeli are ideal
for hiking and picnics. The road inland from Trabzon
winds through spectacular mountain landscape before
reaching the Zigana Tunnel, the longest in Turkey.
Nearby Hamsiköy is a charming mountain village, that
has gained a national reputation for its excellent
cuisine (including the best rice pudding), and is also
conveniently near the Zigana Ski Center. The beautiful
meadows and highland pastures of Gürgenagac Yaylasi,
Kirazli Yaylasi and Solma Yaylasi are ideal sites for
outdoor activities. The traditional Kadirga Festival
celebrates the annual summer migration to the high
mountain pastures.
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SUMELA MONASTERY
Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting
for the 14th-century Sümela Monastery, perched high on
a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Surrounded
by the ruins of the monks' quarters, is a church
covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes.
Southeast of Trabzon is Lake UzungöI, a lovely alpine
lake surrounded by mountains and meadows, excellent
for camping, hiking and fishing. The restaurants there
also make it the best place for eating river trout. |
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