Once known as Trebizond, this historic port city near the eastern end of Turkey’s Black Sea coast (map) provides interesting contrasts to the normal Turkish town.
Trabzon (pop. 240,000) has been around since at least 746 BC, so it has quite a story to tell, though you must work some to find the clues.
Its old walled quarter contains numerous Byzantine churches, though most are not easily accessible. Several kilometers to the west of the center, the well-preserved Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya, 1263) stands on a hill overlooking the Black Sea.
Trabzon is also a good base for visiting surrounding sites such as Sumela Monastery, the alpine village of Ayder, and the tea-growing towns such as Rize to the east.
Trabzon is also a good base for visiting surrounding sites such as Sumela Monastery, the alpine village of Ayder, and the tea-growing towns such as Rize to the east.