The Black Sea region - Today's Zaman

Karaca caveTRAVELBLACK SEA 201096Gümüşhane: the place to go for nature loversOn your approach to Gümüşhane, you'llpass through Zigana Mountain and getto the most important tourist site in thearea: the Karaca cave. Relax and breathethe clean air here as you explore thismysterious world. The cave is said to bemillions of years old!Although Turkey's mountains areskiing hotspots in the winter, Zigana alsooffers summer activities, includinggrass skiing, a photo-video safari, birdwatching, trekking, paragliding, naturewalks on horseback and a summercampground carnival. In June, July andAugust, it's home to the RosehipCulture and Tourism Fest.Samsun, where theIndependence War startedSamsun, one of the most important citiesof the Black Sea region, is stronglytied to the role it played in the TurkishWar of Independence. The BandırmaShip Museum, the Gazi Museum andReji, also known as the Tütün docks,used by France when Atatürk first cameto Samsun and recently reconstructedby the Samsun Municipality, are amongthe popular places visitors want to see.But for a more natural excursion, visitthe Kızılırmak Bird Paradise, thePaphlagonia rock graves, the historicAsar Castle, the Kunduz flatlands (asummer campground) and Terme.Ordu: Turkey's oxygen tankThe Ordu governorship advertisesOrdu as Turkey's “Oxygen region”because of its flatlands (a popularcampsite in the summer). Ordu offersits visitors a different kind ofbeauty. When you first arrive,climb Boztepe and treat yourself tosome local food among this uniqueBlack Sea scenery. Domestic andinternational visitors coming toOrdu often visit Hoynat Island andYason Cape in the Perşembe district,the Oktamış Waterfall inUlubey, the Keyfelan flatlands inMesudiye, the Ulugöl, Akkuş andArgın flatlands in Gölbey and theÇambaşı flatlands in Kabadüz.Amasya: the city of Ferhat and ŞirinAmasya's old buildings are well preserved.The city presents a mystical atmosphereto its visitors, a feeling intensifiedby the Yeşilırmak River thatpasses through it and the Ottomanhouses lining the river's banks. Thecity was the legendary home of FerhatAmasyaand Şirin -- a local folktale of impossiblelove. Several local sites to seek outinclude the King Rock Tombs, theCastle (Harşena), the Kızlar Palace,the Hazeranlar Mansion, the FerhatWater Channel, the Bimarhane(treatment center), the Gökmedrese,the Burmalı Minare Mosque and theClock Tower. Borobay Lake and theBaraklı Waterfall in Taşova areAmasya's main natural beauties.