Sinop, Turkey: Unparalleled Nature And Cool Waters Of The Black Sea

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Sinop, a pleasant and ancient city on the Black Sea Coast of Turkey, north-east of Ankara, is the capital of Sinop Province. It is a scenic seaside town and port, with a lovely waterfront and remains of a castle looking over the Black Sea. Sinop lies on an isthmus that links the Boztepe Peninsula to the mainland, and the forest-clad mountain shuts it off from the Anatolian Plateau.

In antiquity, this was a safe port, with its land approaches barred by a huge citadel and its seaside defended by a strong wall.

Medieval Sinop is a walled city perched on a promontory overlooking the dark, chill waters of the Black Sea.

A Little Bit of History

The town was founded by colonists from the Aegean port of Miletus in the 800s BC. Due to its fine, natural harbor, it became a major port. The Greeks settled in this region and built colonies.

Castle in Sinop, Turkey

The port commanded much of the maritime trade of the Pontic region. By the fifth century BC many colonies were established on the coast and this port town enjoyed naval supremacy in the Black Sea.

In 183 BC, Pharnaces I took over this town and it became prosperous under Mithridates VI, who was born here. The city was almost destroyed by fire when the Romans captured it in 70 BC.

It was a part of the Trezibond Empire until the Seljuq Turks took over in 1214, and it was later incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1458.

The Imperial Russian Navy crossed the Black Sea in 1853 and attacked the Ottoman fleet, and destroyed it completely.

The Massacre of Sinoe was one of the events precipitating the Crimean War in which Great Britain and France fought with the Ottoman Empire against the Russian Empire.

The View of Sinop Castle

Legend says that the city was named after Sinope, daughter of river god Asopus, who outwitted Zeus. Zeus wanted to marry her and promised she could have anything she wanted.

She requested eternal virginity, and Zeus, outwitted, allowed her to enjoy it here on this promontory.

There is also another legend stating that Sinova, the Amazon queen, founded this city and it was named after her.

Diogenes, a cynic philosopher, who carried around a lantern looking for a good man was born in Sinop. He later moved to Athens and lived the simplest life possible.

He even threw away his only possession, a drinking cup, when he realized that he could drink from his cupped hands.

The city is popular for its traditional nautical wood carvings, good crystal and original cotton clothes. You can also shop for traditional handicrafts such as carpets, copper goods, painted ceramics, leather goods, sandals and jewelry.

Sinop Festival, Ayancik Festival, Hidrellez and Boyabat Fair are some of the popular events and celebrations here.