the cultural heart of the black sea coast
It remains a dispute among the other Black Sea provinces, but Trabzon truly is the cultural heart of the Black Sea coast. Its winding narrow city streets recall neighborhoods in Istanbul far to its west. For centuries Trabzon was a cultural and religious melting pot at the western edge of the Silk Road. From the 13-15th centuries, it was the seat of the semi-independent kingdom known as the Empire of Trebizond that stretched well beyond the borders of the present day province. Remnants of that legacy remain in the 13th century Hagia Sophia Church (converted to a museum with the Republican era, and recently converted back into a mosque), and the Sumela Monastery in nearby Maçka. South of Trabzon is Uzungöl, or "Long Lake", a resort area with great outdoor recreation options.
Click through the gallery below to explore!
