The Black Sea Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 191

Heritage site because of its out-
standing architecture. There are
dozens of beautifully preserved
wooden Ottoman mansions,
among them Pa@a House , now
used as a hotel, Kaymakamler
House and Asmazlar Havuzula
Konak House . Its Cinci Han
(see p. 195) was once a commer-
cial centre and is now a hotel,
while there are mosques, Turkish
baths and shopping streets to
see. Safranbolu is considered so
important because the architec-
ture found in its streets even
today was that used throughout
the Ottoman Empire. If your
children like history then they
will adore Safranbolu.
Sümela Monastery,
Trabzon

sight - almost ghostly. Your chil-
dren will be as captivated as you.
Its walls, inside and out, are
painted with brilliant frescoes.
There are the ruins of living
quarters once used by the monks
who lived there, a church and a
library. You can venture inside
and explore.
Open 8am-6pm daily, with reduced
opening times during winter months.
Admission 10 YTL.

The Zagnos Bridge and
Tower, Trabzon

★
Zagnos Caddesi, Trabzon.

Although having something of a
macabre history, the Za g nos
Bridge and Tower in Trabzon is a
pleasant enough stopping-off
point if you are visiting this area
of the Black Sea region with
your family. Crossing over the
Kuzgun ravine, the 15th-century
Za g nos Bridge provides a great
view of the area and was used in
centuries past as an important
crossing point for soldiers, while
the tower was once an infamous
prison. Today, there's a nice cafe
offering timely refreshments.

★★
Sümela Monastery, Trabzon. b +90
462 531 10 61.

Located just 50km or so from
Trabzon within the Altindere
National Park and well sign-
posted, the 14th-century Sümela
Monastery is perched high on a
sheer cliff face 270m above a deep
gorge and overlooking the Altin-
dere valley. It is a remarkable

Sümela Monastery, Trabzon

191