The port city of Trabzon is perched on the Black Sea on Turkey’s less developed north coast. It is well placed on the historic Silk Road and it was a major trade center for centuries. It is a bustling, fast-paced city packed with cars, taxis, minibuses, idlers, parents, pedestrians and police throughout the day.
It is not just the streets of this port town that are busy – its port is the largest along the eastern Black Sea coast, handling and dispatching goods to Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Azerbaijan.
A Little Bit of History
The town was originally called Trapezius and its history dates back to the sixth century BC, when traders from Miletus founded an extra support point at Trapezius. Most of the inhabitants came from Trapezos in Arcadia.
Sumela Monastery near Trabzon
It attracted travelers and was hence influenced by many religions, languages and cultures. It was inhabited by the Milletians, Persians, Romans, Byzantine and Comnenos dynasty.
The Romans conquered the city, and Emperor Hadrian enlarged it and built a new harbor. It remained under Romans until 1462, except for an invasion by the Goths.
The last Comneni Emperor David handed the city to the Ottoman Mehmet Fatih. The Roman Empire finally came to an end in this city.
After the defeat of the Ottomans in WWI, the Turks took over the city. Modern Trabzon still retains much of its medieval aspects.
The View of Trabzon
Going to a plateau between May and September is an old tradition for the people living in the rural parts of the region. Plateau Festivals are characterized by folk dance and music.
International Blacksea Theater Festival is another popular event in here.
The most famous shopping street is the Avrupali Pazari, where you can buy everything from pirated tapes to leather products and Russian dolls.
Shops along Kunduracilar Street specialize in hasir bilezik, handmade wire-thin silver and gold bracelets.
Where is Trabzon?
- 184.5 miles/ 297 km from Erzurum, Turkey
- 316.8 miles/ 510 km from Elaziq, Turkey
- 236.7 miles/ 381 km from Sivas, Turkey
- 3.9 miles/ 6.3 km from Trabzon Airport, Turkey
- 126.1 miles/ 203 km from Batumi International Airport, Georgia
- 328.7 miles/ 529 km from Shirak Airport, Armenia
Things to See
- Hagia Sophia Church
- Museum
- Ataturk Kiosk
- Boztepe
- Gulbahar Hatun Camii
- The Castle
- Faith Tower
- Tas Han
Beaches
- Akcaabat
- Arakli
- Carsibasi
- Besikduzu
- Surmene
- Yomra
- Of and Vakfikebir
Excursions
- Sumela Monastery
- Samsun
- Amasya
- Uzungol
Trabzon, the former Byzantine capital, is becoming known for its untrammeled bazaars, spectacular cultural treasures and other picture-perfect attractions.
It offers a chance to experience a different part of Turkey where rural traditions are very much alive.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!