B.C. Amasra, which is said to be founded in the 12th century, takes its name from the Persian princess Amastris. This new city built by Amastris in his name is just like the holiday centers in the south with its unmatched beach, two coves and two islands. We are in Amasra, which is likened to a sleeping princess in ancient times.

As you approach the city, you encounter a striking view. An interesting geography, a beauty that will bite your finger to many coastal cities of the Black Sea, greets you. Promising a pleasant holiday, this view that cannot fit into a glance excites people. So you say, “I am glad I came here, a lot can be done here! ..”. And that’s why when you leave, you feel sad… We are in Amasra, the charming district of the Western Black Sea. Once again the favorite holiday destination is experiencing the happiness of being a fashion in tourism. Tour buses, families arriving by private vehicles… The Black Sea is still like a deep blue lake, without waves, the rest is lush green.

Its history

The peninsula, where this charming holiday center, which Fatih Sultan Mehmet took a look at from the “Bakacak Hill” and said “Lala Lala Çeşm-i Cihan is this”, has two coves and two islands. One of the islands is reached by boat, while the other is reached by a one-eyed Roman arch. B.C. Known as Sesamos until the 3rd century BC, the city was first built by the Hittites or Gasgas. They are said to have founded it in the 12th century. Exporting boxwood trees, the city came under the influence of the Persian Empire. Persian princess Amastris founded a new city in her name and became an independent queen. Later, the city was conquered by the Pontus, Romans and Genoese. It became famous for its castles and churches in the 1200s. In 1460, Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Amasra. He turned a church into a mosque. Amasra, which was likened to the “Sleeping Princess” at that time, became a judge center during the Ottoman period.

City; Unprecedented in Anatolia, the Bird Rock monument, probably the “Bedesten” built as the Roman provincial Parliament Palace, the one-eyed Roman Bridge built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, the Rabbit Island with the church foundations, the Fatih Mosque inside the castle built in the 9th century, the Inner Castle Mecsidi attracts attention today with its baths, theater and caves.

What is done in Amasra?

In Amasra, which reflects the historical texture, the streets and buildings display a clean appearance. There are short ornamental dogs, as is often found on the entire Black Sea coast. First of all, it is worth mentioning that it is cool in summer and winter evenings. You can rent a boat from the harbor and go on sightseeing. For example, by paying 4-5 million liras for a 45-minute tour with Bedri Reis, you can see the natural pool known as the place where the queen entered the sea and the steps of the pool in front of the Direkli locality, when you return from the breakwater, pass the tunnel under the bridge like Venice and reach the small harbor. You can go to Rabbit Island, where gray, white and black rabbits live, you can look at the caves, photograph the castle and city walls and watch Amasra from the sea. Many of the participants on the trip go back and forth by catching a big boat, belly dancing and playing. Obviously, the journey is enjoyable. There are tea gardens, cafe-bars, and viewing terraces of the coastal park with plenty of trees. Where the sunset is best watched, local people say “The sun sets like a red apple in the sea”. The young girls, who show up on the breakwater all day long with their most elegant outfits, send the sun off with their sincere songs when evening comes.

While the breakwater in the harbor provides a calm sea for water sports, it also acts as a podium. People of all ages who park their car and throw the electricity on it by walking, those who ride on bicycles, fish and walk their dogs, sail races, watch the boats by eating seeds, take fresh air and take a digestive walk, and people of all ages who photograph the pictures on the landscapes and the breakwater. Passing to the bridge-connected island and seeing the houses, experiencing solitude on the viewing terraces overlooking the Little Harbor, seeing the mosque spoiled from the restored church are some of the things you can do in Amasra.

There is also a museum. It has been closed until 2001 due to restoration work since last year. Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman tears, fragrance bottles, terracotta pots and pots, kitchen utensils, tombstones, sarcophagi, amphorae, marble snake stele, the god of health, statues and ethnographic works are waiting to be exhibited again with a new museology concept. It’s time for shopping …

I saved it for the last time… Here is the most famous street of Amasra, “Çekerler Bazaar”. They used to pull the wood back and forth on the hand looms and shape the wood. The name “attractors” comes from there. All kinds of wooden items are sold in the bazaar, I will count a few. The upright churn barrel became a decorative cane and umbrella holder. Wooden salad plates, wooden toys from ship to car, models, trinkets, newspaper holder, bread box, coffee table, chair, stool, mirror stand, boxwood spoons, wicker items and wooden jewelry. Mustafa Tercan and his wife developed this jewelry business. They make necklaces, bracelets and earrings from the seeds of the Acacia and bloom trees in the vicinity. 3 million jewelry sets of enviable beauty. A walnut shell helicopter, galleon from a sea minaret, trinkets from a varnished scorpionfish head, a “wish table” trinket with a heart-shaped turtle on it are even exported to Italy.

Where is Amasra