Places to Visit

24 results. The stones, the sea, the history and the nature of a 3,000-year-old town. Do not leave without seeing them.

Amasra Castle — cover photograph Historical

Amasra Castle

3,000 years of history on the peninsula dividing Small and Large Harbour. Genoese walls, Fatih Mosque, Small Church and panoramic Black Sea views in every direction.

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Amasra Museum — cover photograph Culture

Amasra Museum

An archaeology and ethnography museum tracing five civilisations from the Hellenistic to the Ottoman period. 4 exhibition halls and a stone garden; gold coins, amphorae, marble sta…

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Bedesten (Roman Basilica) — cover photograph Archaeological

Bedesten (Roman Basilica)

A 5-nave Basilica measuring 18 × 45 m, built during the reign of Emperor Trajan (AD 98–117). The Provincial Council Hall of ancient Amastris; today a restored archaeological site.

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Çakraz Beach — cover photograph Beach

Çakraz Beach

An unspoilt 1 km beach 10 km from Amasra. One of the cleanest stretches of the Black Sea coast for those escaping the crowds of the Large Harbour.

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Direkli Kaya (Pillar Rock) — cover photograph Natural

Direkli Kaya (Pillar Rock)

A Genoese sea-watch point north of the Small Harbour. Steps carved into the rock, a pool connected to the sea, and remnants of a marble jetty.

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District Governor's House (Kaymakam Evi) — cover photograph Historical

District Governor's House (Kaymakam Evi)

An Ottoman-period building constructed in 1884 as a primary school by the Governor of Bolu and later converted into the district governor's residence. The best-preserved example of…

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Edhem Ağa House — cover photograph Historical

Edhem Ağa House

A three-storey Turkish Empire-style mansion built by Montenegrin mine owner Edhem Ağa in 1887–1889. Marble columns, fireplaced rooms, terrace overlooking the Small Harbour.

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Fatih Mosque (Byzantine Church) — cover photograph Religious

Fatih Mosque (Byzantine Church)

A historic building converted from a 9th-century Byzantine church to a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of 1460. Contains vaulted ceilings and Byzantine masonry; still an acti…

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Galla Market — Women's Market — cover photograph Shopping

Galla Market — Women's Market

A traditional women's market held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Home-made products by local women: cheese, jam, fresh vegetables, handicrafts, herb-seasoned village dishes.

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Genoa Castle (Cenova Şatosu) — cover photograph Historical

Genoa Castle (Cenova Şatosu)

The Genoese inner citadel within Amasra Castle. The building is notable for the family coats of arms above the gate; from its clifftop above the Large Harbour it offers a panoramic…

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Göldere Waterfall — cover photograph Natural

Göldere Waterfall

A small but striking waterfall deep in the Black Sea forests near Amasra. A natural stopping point on a nature walk, prized for its lush surroundings, coolness and quiet.

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Güzelcehisar Beach — cover photograph Beach

Güzelcehisar Beach

A peaceful 1 km Black Sea beach 17 km from Bartın. Camping available. A nature-and-history combination with the 80-million-year-old lava columns right next door.

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Güzelcehisar Lava Columns — cover photograph Natural

Güzelcehisar Lava Columns

Basalt lava columns 80 million years old; a geological formation rising like a wall from the sea at the western end of Güzelcehisar beach. 17 km from Bartın, a day-trip nature rout…

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Kemerdere Bridge — cover photograph Historical

Kemerdere Bridge

A Roman-period arch bridge in the walnut grove valley on the Bartın–Amasra road, 3 km from Amasra. A historic crossing that has been joined to the modern road but retains its ancie…

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Kemere Bridge — cover photograph Historical

Kemere Bridge

A stone arch bridge from the Roman period that has survived to the present day and is still in use. This historic crossing connecting the Amasra peninsula to the mainland is the mo…

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Kuş Kayası Road Monument — cover photograph Historical

Kuş Kayası Road Monument

The only road monument in Anatolia. Commissioned by a Roman emperor for the Governor of Bithynia, consisting of a royal statue, two inscriptions and an eagle figure. 4 km from Amas…

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Large Harbour Beach (Büyük Liman) — cover photograph Beach

Large Harbour Beach (Büyük Liman)

Around 300 metres of sandy beach with sunlounger and parasol hire, and the Sailing Club. Amasra's best-known beach; early July and late August are the most comfortable times to vis…

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Ottoman Bathhouse (Osmanlı Hamamı) — cover photograph Historical

Ottoman Bathhouse (Osmanlı Hamamı)

A 17th-century domed bathhouse; the structure described by Evliya Çelebi as "heartening." Original remains preserved inside a tea garden, with Beylik-period architecture.

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Small Church — Chapel — cover photograph Religious

Small Church — Chapel

Byzantine-period chapel ruins inside Amasra Castle. A cross-plan church; the mosaic floor was destroyed by looters, but the narthex and apse foundations have been exposed by academ…

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Small Harbour Beach (Küçük Liman) — cover photograph Beach

Small Harbour Beach (Küçük Liman)

A small but enjoyable beach in a sheltered westward-facing bay. Sunloungers and parasol hire; Direkli Kaya rocky entry point to the north. Surrounded by restaurants and cafés.

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Tavşan Adası (Rabbit Island) — cover photograph Natural

Tavşan Adası (Rabbit Island)

A small island 150 metres off Amasra. Byzantine monastery ruins at the top, reached by rock-cut steps; boat and kayak trips around the island.

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Uluyayla Highland — cover photograph Highland

Uluyayla Highland

A lush highland meadow at 1,000 m altitude in the Ulus district of Bartın. A cave with an underground river flowing through it, spectacular autumn colours and the chance of wild an…

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Underground Galleries — cover photograph Archaeological

Underground Galleries

A Roman-period tunnel system running beneath the walled old town. Mysterious galleries accessible for around 80 metres from the main entrance at the Tomaşkuyusu site; architecture …

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Woodturners' Bazaar (Çekiciler Çarşısı) — cover photograph Shopping

Woodturners' Bazaar (Çekiciler Çarşısı)

A historic market keeping Amasra's traditional woodturning craft alive. Bowls, spoons and gifts turned on a lathe from hazelnut, walnut and olive wood.

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