Trabzon Detailed Travel Guide

Trabzon, the fierce, rebellious, and revolutionary youth of the Eastern Black Sea. It is a symbol of defiance, sometimes with the artists it has nurtured, sometimes with its politicians, and most importantly, with Trabzonspor. So, where does the city's name come from? According to some, it got its name Tirabizan from its resemblance to a tray or a crooked shape, and when you look from Boztepe, which overlooks the entire city, you can't help but think the elders were not wrong. Speaking of its name, let's talk about Boztepe. It offers a different perspective at night and a different one during the day. You overlook the entire city, and as you sip your tea brought in a samovar, you wonder why this city, with its importance throughout history, has always been sought after by the greatest commanders. You look at the sea; even if nothing is visible on the horizon, you feel the fierceness of the waves and the strength of the mountain at your back. And you think that the land you are sitting on actually serves as a gateway, the gateway to the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and Anatolia. In fact, the city's rebellion begins before you even enter Trabzon; its small districts carry a vast culture despite their small populations. They are like triumphant veterans who have overcome the weight of so many years. Their proud yet melancholic stance against the city center stems not only from history but also from the character of the city's people.

So, what makes this city different?

As we enter the center and follow the walls, a phrase catches our eye: "The city conquered by the Conqueror, ruled by Yavuz, raised Kanuni." Why did these three great sultans, who changed the course of world history, all focus on the same city? Was it any different before the Ottoman Empire? No, it has always been a land of rebels and the powerful. Perhaps it is due to its fierce waves, its rugged mountains that start with the sea, and its ceaseless rivers. What human qualities can be attributed to a person if they are not influenced by their land, air, and water?

Whoever possessed these lands must have done something extraordinary.

You know Temel's quick wit, which makes us laugh in jokes, but even more fascinating is the Sümela Monastery. With its functions as a garrison, monastery, and home, how can placing it more than 1100m above sea level, by carving into the mountain, be explained by logic? So, how do you get to Sümela? You can take minibuses from the Russian Market, or by private car, first reach Değirmendere, then take the Gümüşhane road, and upon reaching Maçka, ask a local with the question, "Hemşerum, where is the place where they drilled the mountain?" and with a mind-boggling description, you can find it easily (inshallah). Or, if you say, "I don't have time to go and see this for 3 hours," you can visit the mansion where Atatürk stayed and was later bought and turned into a museum by the people of Trabzon, imagine the streets where Kanuni hurried, visit the Meryem Ana Church and the Hagia Sophia Church, and you might even find a historical ruin inside a dilapidated building in the backstreets that even the people of Trabzon don't know about. Although it is far from the city center, one of the first places that comes to mind when thinking of Trabzon is Uzungöl. The lake, formed in the middle of the valley by rocks falling from the slopes blocking the Haldizen River, is known as "Uzungöl," and the surrounding area has been given the same name. There are facilities for accommodation and tourism there. You definitely shouldn't leave without trying its trout. It's perfect for understanding peace and tranquility, especially by delving into the seemingly endless pine trees. You might even have the chance to see the red-spotted trout, which is on the verge of extinction. The city is famous for its copper craftsmanship, filigree, highland attire, dairy products, bread that doesn't go stale for 10 days (seriously), Maraş Street, Kunduracılar Street, and even Çömlekçi Hill. And we shouldn't forget its university, which is the eye and ear of everything. Sometimes, envying its people, the Değirmendere river, which overflows with excitement, also has its own beauty. The city can be reached by land and air, and especially when arriving by plane during the day, you notice something from above: how can such a small city accommodate so many people? In reality, the unseen part is so vibrant and vast. Of course, I'm talking about its plateaus. Is there another city with nearly 50 plateau festivals? The most prominent ones are the Sultan Murad, Haçka, and Zigana (which Gümüşhane and Giresun also claim) festivals. After so much wandering, one gets hungry. Speaking of hunger, Trabzon's dishes are endless. Its most famous dishes are Akçaabat Köftesi and Sürmene Pidesi. You must eat the köfte at Nihat Usta to truly savor its taste. Just as Trabzon is inseparable from anchovies, the other inseparable element is the kemençe. It is even told in Araklı that when fishermen play the kemençe, anchovies come to the shore. Like all Black Sea people, when Trabzon people hear the sound of the kemençe, they start to move from their shoulders, and if the player is skilled, they join the horon, which you can best see during the summer festivals in the plateaus. In fact, one of the most important social events that gave the city its spirit after the Republic is football. With such passionate debates, a rivalry rarely seen even in Istanbul teams, and finally, due to external pressures, the apple of the city's eye was formed and named Trabzonspor. Besides being the only long-term champion from Anatolia, it is the only team that achieved this with its own people. That is, it is local, not imported. You can easily see that the rebellious appearance and fierce character of the people of Trabzon are short-lived by looking at their sense of humor. In Temel Jokes; with a society that sometimes makes you laugh, sometimes makes you think, and sometimes makes fun of themselves or others, it shows its quick wit in these jokes. However, Temel, the main character of the jokes, is no longer a name used in Trabzon.