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 Comengene Empire established after the fall of Byzantine Istanbul. Wooden houses fill the old quarter nestled in the ancient fortifications, which still retain the spirit of a medieval town. There are many opportunities in Trabzon to cover all tastes. There’s some very interesting sightseeing to be done in the area, including the renowned Sumela Monastery.

SITES OF INTEREST: Maçka-Altındere Valley National Park, Sürmene Çamburnu forest recreation area, Çakırgöl, Uzungöl, Boztepe, Çifteçamlık, Kalepark, Kisarna (Bengisu), Soğuksu, Zefanos (Bulak) picnic areas and summer places and, Trabzon Castle and Akçakale, Kaymaklı, Kızlar (Panagia Theoskepastos), Gregorios Peristera (Hızır İlyas), Kızlar (Panagia Kerameste), Sumela (Sümela) and Vazelon monasteries, Hagaios Savas (Maşatlık) Cave Churches, Hagia Anna (Little Ayvasıl), Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), Sotha (St. John), Hagios Theodoros, Hagios Konstantinos, Hagios Khristophoras, Hagios Kiryaki, Santa Maria, Hagios Mikhail and Panagia Tzita churches, Fatih (Panagia Khrysokephalos Church), Yeni Cuma (Hagios Eugenios), Nakip (Hagios Andreas Church), Hüsnü Köktuğ (Hagios Eleutherios), İskender Pasha, Semerciler and Çarşı mosques, Gülbahar Hatun Mosque and masoleum, İmaret Deresi (Alm River), Kavaklı and Kuzgundere (İnceköprü) aquaducts, Bedesten, Alaca Han (inn), Vakıf Han (inn) and Taş han (inn), Sekiz Direkli Hamam (Bath with eight columns), Pasha and Hacı Arif baths, Eirene Tower (Fatih Ammunition Depot), Abdullah Pasha and Abdülhamid fountains, Zağanos Bridge, Trabzon Ayasofya and Trabzon Atatürk Museums