The Black Sea

Trabzon:
345 km to the east of Samsun was founded in the 7 th century B.C. by Miletian colonists. Later Alexis Commenos founded the until 1461 later, the city fell into the hands of the Ottomans. On entering The city on a green hill descending to the sea is a well-preserved Byzantine monument-the 13th century Aya Sofya church. The walls of this church are decorated with frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine craft smanship. In the city there is also and old Byzantine church which has now been turned into a mosque called the Fatih Camii. As well the Yeni Cuma Camii and the Ottoman Gülbahar Hatun Camii can be seen. The higher part of the town the old quarter, inside the still-extant fortifications, should be visited withitstimber houses and dark and narrow streets. The house that Atatürk stayed in has now been turned into a museum.
59 km along a very beautiful road from Trabzon on the face of a steep cliff amind forest-covered mountains there stands a 14th century Byzantine convent dedicated the Blessed Virgin Mary. This edifice is known as the Sumela Monastery, and in its corridors hallways and chapels there are the most outstanding 14th and 18th century frescoes Hamsiköy set amonngst beautiful mountains in the Zigana Pass is famous for its food and is a favorite stop for tourists.

Gümüşhane:
was founded upon the slopes of the Zigana Mountains; standing upon the main route from Trabzon to Iran it wa once of considerable importance although this has now faded. Nevertheless one may still see historical mosques and bath houses, and the old-style architecture of houses churches tombs etc.

Bayburt:
is to be found inside the borders of Gümüşhane Province along the ancient Silk Road travelled by Marco Polo and Evliya Çalebi. Here the remains of a Byzantine castle can be seen.