Trabzon

Trabzon is a city and the administrative center of Trabzon Province on the northeastern coast of Turkey, along the Black Sea. It sits at a natural harbor backed by the Pontic Mountains and serves as a major economic and cultural hub for the region. The city has a long trading tradition and is a gateway to the rural Black Sea hinterland. It is the provincial capital and a key transport link for commerce, education, and tourism in the eastern Black Sea.

In antiquity the settlement was founded as Trapezus by Greek colonists and grew as a regional center of Pontus. It later became part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires and rose to regional prominence as the capital of the Empire of Trebizond from the 13th century until its conquest by the Ottoman Empire in 1461. Under Ottoman rule, Trabzon remained a port and administrative center, developing a distinct local culture and architecture.

Landmarks include the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century Byzantine church that was converted to a mosque in later centuries and remains a notable religious site. The city also features historic bazaars, mosques, and the Ortahisar district’s streets. Boztepe hill affords views over the city and harbor, and the nearby Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl lake are popular day trips in the region.

The economy combines fishing, port trade, manufacturing, and services, with tourism growing in recent decades. The cuisine features Black Sea specialties such as hamsi (anchovy), corn bread, and tea culture.