Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Giresun Fortress
Gazi Caddesi No 72, Giresun.
b
+90
454 212 31 90 (tourist information)
Kastamonu Castle
Off Gökdere Caddesi, Kastamonu.
Built by the Comnenes, a pow-
erful family who ruled Trabzon
in the 12th century, the
Byzantine Kastamonu Castle is a
reminder of when the town was
considered an important trading
centre. At one time it would
have been large and majestic,
and although it has fallen from
grace a tad in recent years and is
now used as a look out point, it
will capture the imagination of
your youngsters nonetheless. You
can get inside and explore.
Open
10am-5pm daily in summer-
time, closed Mon.
Admission
5 YTL.
Located around 50km east of
Ordu, this fortress was once a
great building for defending the
region from invaders. Today,
there are only ruins left, but
your children will love the
chance to explore them. Perched
at the top of a hill, the Giresun
Fortress looks rather like a
crown. It looks out over the
town, its beaches and the coun-
tryside full of hazelnut orchards.
Haghia Sophia, Trabzon
Haghia Sophia, Trabzon.
b
+90 462
223 30 43.
Mosques of Amasra
The mosques are all located in the
town centre, other than the Iskele
Mosque which is in the harbour area.
A church and museum, the
Haghia Sophia, or the Aya Sofya
as it is known locally, dates from
the 13th century when Trabzon
was the capital of the Empire of
Trebizond. It stands on the
seafront and is considered the
most famous landmark in
Trabzon. For centuries it was
used as a mosque but now is
purely a museum. Inside, there
are Byzantine frescos on the
walls, some of the finest exam-
ples of wall painting in Turkey if
not the world. Nearby are the
mosques of
Fatih
and
Yeni
Cuma
, the
church of St Anne's
(Haghia Anna) built in the 9th
century and the St Eugenius
Church (Hagios Eugenios) dat-
ing from the 14th century.
Open
8am-5.30pm daily except
Mon, with reduced opening times in
winter.
Admission
10 YTL.
The
Burmalı Minare Mosque
,
Yörgüç Pasha Mosque
,
Mehmed Pasha Mosque
and
the
Sultan Beyazıd Mosque
are
among those found in the town
of Amasra. Another is
Iskele
Mosque
located right on the
harbourside. If you like Turkish
culture and you want your chil-
dren to appreciate these build-
ings and their importance to the
local people then visits to these
fascinating mosques are well
worth while.
Safranbolu
★★★
Safranbolu Tourist Information Office,
Kazdagilioglu Meydani No 1,
Safranbolu.
b
+90 370 712 38 63;
www.safranbulu.gov.tr
The city of Safranbolu is, in its
entirety, a UNESCO World
190
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