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Array of colors: A neverending spectrum of colors in Yedigöller adorns this corner of Black Sea region. Spring and summer are emerald, crimson is fall's color, while white rules in winter. 
Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park is to the north of the western Black Sea town of Bolu. During winter, white transforms the Seven Lakes' jade summer hills into a veritable snow-globe fantasy. Trees turn into enormous snow crystals in winter while multiple greens illuminate summer afternoons. These lakes are called Büyükgöl, Deringöl, Seringöl, Nazl1göl, Sazl1göl, 0ncegöl and Küçükgöl formed by landslides and the same sparkling mountain stream feeds them. They are interconnected by underground streams. Kapankaya is the best observation point. E rikiri_ is the highest point and Kirazl1çat1 is the lowest point of Yedigöller which is ready to host happy campers. ‘Seven Lakes National Park' is located about 45km northeast of Bolu. The dense, natural mixed forest of Cilician fir, Asian beech, oak, rhododendron, fern and wild hemp harbors a variety of flora and fauna typical of the Black Sea region. The area was declared as a national park in 1965 by the Ministry of Forestry. A small fee is paid at the entrance. HOW TO GET THERE Seven Lakes is 260 km away from Istanbul, 290 km from Ankara, 590 km from 0zmir. The National Park can be reached via the Yeniça a road, 152km off the Ankara – Istanbul highway. During winter, transportation is only available via the Yeniça a – Mengen – Yaz1c1k road. WHERE TO STAY 6 bungalows of the Forestry Ministry are at service as the area has two guesthouses. For reservation: 312 207 50 00 (ext. 6106) IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Bolu Tourism Directorate 374 212 22 54 State Hospital 374 275 30 30 Police Dept. 374 215 37 21 SAFRANBOLU Eternal Heritage Safranbolu is a town of Karabük in western Black Sea region. The town where time stops, this is the definition of Safranbolu. It is named after a plant, saffron; the area was a trading place and a center for saffron. Safranbolu is unique with its houses so much so that UNESCO includes the place in the World Heritage List. The most beautiful examples of Safranbolu houses could be seen at Kaymakamlar, Kilerciler, Mümtazlar, Karaüzümler ans Sipahio lu Houses. Every single house here is ornamented with door knockers as the product of iron craftsmanship. One of the knockers is for women and the other for men. The Village of Yörük (Nomad) is like an open-air museum, Çama_1rhane(Laundry) restored as an art gallery, the 200 year old Watch Tower, mosques built by the Ottoman viziers, old city hall, Cinci Inn and bath are points of attraction for visitors. Safranbolu houses hiding a 200-year old past represent old civilian architecture of the 18th and 19th century. The sizes of the houses depict the Turkish preference of joint families. It is also called the “House of five facades” because of the magnificent roof structures. The rooms are large, spacious with lots of natural light and each two/three-storied building has 6 to 9 rooms. The Turkish art is expressed in its fragile woodwork, indoor knobs, banisters and carved wall and ceiling decorations. The ornamental styles and elaborate carvings depart an elegant touch to these beautiful houses. Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Ponds, Romans, Seljuks, Çobano ullar1, and Ottomans ruled the 3000-year old Safranbolu. PLACES TO VISIT Çar_1 (Bazaar): Situated in southeast of Safranbolu Çar_1 has more than 200 stores. Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque, 0zzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque and 300 years old Cinci Inn are historical places of the town. Museum Houses: Kaymakamlar, Kilerciler, Mümtazlar, Karaüzümler and Sipahio lu Houses reflecting typical Safranbolu architecture are worth a visit. Ba lar (Vineyards): Situated in northwest of Safranbolu. It is a summer time location with its unique historical houses. Village of Davutobas1: The place where saffron is produced. It is 20 km. west of Safranbolu. Saffron is cultivated in August and September, harvested in October. Incekaya Aqueduct: in the old times, this was the water reservoir of Safranbolu. Bulak and H1nz1r Caverns: Both are included in the world cave literature. Bulak cave 8.5 km outside Safranbolu and H1nz1r is 5 km away from Ba lar. HOW TO GET THERE It is possible to reach the town - 82 km highway from Gerede junction to Karabük on Ankara-Istanbul highway. Safranbolu is 8 km to Karabük, 80 km to Bart1n and 105 km to Kastamonu and 395 km to Istanbul. WHERE TO STAY Turing Havuzlu Konak 370 725 28 83 Tahsinbey Kona 1 370 712 60 62 Kad1o lu Kona 1 370 712 56 67 Hatice Han1m Kona 1 370 712 87 45 Pa_a Kona 1 370 712 81 53 Selvili Kö_k 370 712 86 46 Mehve_ Han1m Kona 1 370 712 87 87 Arasna Hotel 370 712 41 70 Sefa Pansiyon 370 712 28 23 Hotel K1r1ml1 370 712 24 85 Merkez Pansiyon 370 712 15 20 RESTAURANTS Safran Restaurant 370 725 17 18 Burhan Restaurant 370 712 41 06 Havuzlu Kö_k 370 725 21 68 Kad1o lu Sofras1 370 712 50 91 A_iyan Köy Sofras1 370 712 41 70 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Tourism Information 370 712 38 63 State Hospital 370 71211 87 Police Dept. 370 712 12 22 TRABZON Port to Silk Road p/110 Probably the most famous Westerner traveled on the Silk Road, Marco Polo (1254-1324) stopped in Trabzon on his way back. An important stop for trade in the past, Trabzon was a port to the Silk Road caravans. p/112 caption: St. Sophia Museum- Trabzon This city came to life in 756 B.C. in the hands of Milletos colonialists. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Trabzon hosted at least six civilizations. Its ever-lasting strategic significance made the city a trade center. Trabzon was on the Silk Road route. It was one of the stops for Marco Polo during his 24 years trip to the East. Trabzon was a door opened to Caucasus, Iran and Central Asia and was the last big natural haven in the Black Sea before Batum. Three sections of the antique city still stand: Upper, Middle and Lower castles. The St. Sophia Museum transformed from churches of Pontus civilization, Ortahisar Mosque, Santa Maria Church, Yeni Cuma Mosque, Hatuniye Mosque, K1zlar Monastery, Virgin Mary Monastery (Sümela Monastery) are historic values of Trabzon. NATURAL BEAUTIES Trabzon is a heaven on earth with its numerous plateau such as H1d1rnebi, Sis Da 1, Akçaabat Karada , Hakçaobas1, ^olma, Kirazl1, Cami Bo az1, Lapazan and Sultan Murat. During summer festivals, each of these plateaus feels the joy of living; however, a classical Uzun Göl (Long Lake) landscape appears when one utters the name of Trabzon. Over the years it has become a major tourist attraction. The surrounding greenery of the mountain forests and fog occasionally envelope the lake at night. A neighboring village Demirkap1 is also a ‘must see' spot with its plateau. Seven glacier lakes wait for visitors. ALTINDERE VALLEY This is the best-known park in the Black Sea area; known its natural beauty and for the famous Sümela Monastery. Facilities include picnic areas, cafes and a post office. The Sümela Monastery is perched on high cliffs overlooking the Alt1ndere valley. The Ministry of Forestry declared Altindere valley within Maçka county limits as a national park in 1987. An Orthodox Church in the valley sits on a cliff 200 meter high. Rich flora and fauna add more beauty to the valley. Linden, oak, elm, chestnut, willow are a few examples of the trees in Alt1ndere. PLACES TO VISIT City Walls: Built on the foundations remained from the Byzantines. Indeed, heir oldest part can be dated back to the 1st century A.D., that is, the Roman Period. The walls of Trabzon can be divided into three parts, that is, Yukar1 Hisar (the Inner Stronghold), Orta Hisar (the Middle Stronghold) and A_a 1 Hisar (the Lower Stronghold). The Orta Hisar Mosque (Panaghia Chrysokephalos): Once known as the Church of the Gold-Headed Virgin Mary, this church was originally founded in 914. It was probably first built as a basilica inside a monastery. The present plan dates back to the l2th century. The church became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. An altar niche was built in the middle of the south wall, and a pulpit and minaret added. The altar niche is of stone and is richly ornamented. The Yeni Cuma Mosque (St Eugenios): Built as a church dedicated to St Eugenios, who was a Christian missionary. It is not known exactly when the first church was built; however, the present structure probably built in the l4th century as a cruciform church. A minaret was added to the area around the north door of the church, which was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. The Sumela Monastery: It is situated 16 km south of Maçka town, was founded on Karada Mountain, which lies within the boundaries of Alt1ndere village in the Maçka district of the province. The Monastery is located in a natural rock cave. The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, library and sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. There were built over a very large area. The large aqueduct at the entrance, which clearly supplied water to Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches, which is now mostly restored. Büyük Sümela Hotel: 462 512 35 40 The Ayasofya Mosque (St Sophia) St Sophia in Trabzon is one of the most important of the late Byzantine structures in the area. A church standing within a monastery complex 2 km to the west of the city is generally considered to have been built in the reign of Manuel I (1250-1260) of the Komnenos Dynasty. The belfry 25m to the west of the main building was built in 1427. Ottomans turned the Church into a mosque in 1573. It is rich in frescos and stone ornaments. St. Sophia is also a cruciform church. Bedesten: It is the oldest trading structure in the city. Genoese are believed to built the building. Bedesten used as a wood depot today. HOW TO GET THERE Trabzon is 1083 km from Istanbul, 763 km from Ankara, 75 km from Rize. Any kind of transportation is available to the city. WHERE TO STAY Zorlu Grand 462 326 84 00 Usta Hotel 462 326 57 00 Horon Hotel 462 326 64 55 London Palas 462 326 54 26 Hotel Aksular 462 230 11 30 Gold Yaz1c1 Hotel 462 326 60 40 Uzunkum Hotel 462 221 20 20 FOODS Tiny Black Sea fish called ‘hamsi' is number one sea food of entire Turkish Black sea region. Black cabbage and corn bread are famous. Some of the local dishes are: Hamsi ku_u, hamsi pilav, m1s1r lapas1 (mashed corn), Akçaabat köftesi (meatballs), stuffed black cabbage leaves. Cemil Usta 462 228 91 04 Nihat Usta 462 228 20 50 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Province Tourism Directorate 462 326 07 48 Numune Hospital 462 230 23 00 Police Dept. 462 230 19 85
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