Samsun

Samsun’s ideal combination of fertile ground and shallow waters has attracted numerous trade interests. Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade relationship with the Anatolians. At that time, Samsun was part of the Greek colony of Amisus. In the 3rd century BC, Samsun came under the expanded rule of the Kingdom of Pontus. The Kingdom of Pontus had been part of the empire of Alexander the Great. However, the empire was fractured soon after Alexander’s death in the 4th century BC. At its height, the kingdom controlled the north of central Anatolia and mercantile towns on the northern Black Sea shores. The Romans took over in 47 BC, and were replaced by the Byzantines after the fall of Rome. In 1200 Samsun was captured by the Seljuks, to be later taken over by the Ilhanlilar. Samsun was incorporated into the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the beginning of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese razed the town. Ataturk founded the Turkish republic movement at Samsun and it served as its base during the Turkish War of Independence. The Archeological and Ethnographic Museum and, right next door, the Ataturk Museum, are worth a look. Samsun also has numerous decent hotels and restaurants. Nearby is the Pazar Mosque, Samsun’s oldest building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century. Havza is a little charming town and is still well known for its hot springs (56 degrees centigrade).