Artvin City Guide
The district of Hopa is surrounded by Acara from the northeast, Borçka from the east, Arhavi from the southwest, and the Black Sea from the northwest sides. The district also stands out as an intersection point on the international highway which connects Rize, Trabzon, Artvin, Ardahan, Posof, Kars, Erzurum, and the Republic of Georgia. Flights, requiring no visas, from the city of Batumi in Georgia to İstanbul and passenger transport to the port are organized.
Tourist Attractions
Elevation, which starts right after the seashore, quickly reaches over 1500 meters. Sultan Selim Mountains, which start almost from the seashore, become Kaçkar Mountains right after Borçka.
Numerous plateaus, mountains, and historical remains are locatedwithin and around Artvin. However, as the tour area is quite large, you must have a route planned beforehand. These tour routes can be arranged as the following: Ardanuç Şavşat, Yusufeli, Borçka Maçahel, and the seaside districts Arhavi and Hopa.
The plateau closest to Artvin is Kafkasör, which is connected to the center by a 9 kilometer-long asphalt-paved road. The plateau is 1253 meters high. It is the main point of interest for numerous domestic and international tourists with its annual festival for culture and arts. The festival, which starts on the second week of June, lasts for four days. Bullfighting is the most important part of the festival. Accomodation options are available for visitors. You can climb Genya Mountain through a long hike, climb, or via an off-road vehicle. There are numerous trails on this mountain with a flat peak. The beautiful view of not only the city but also Çoruh Valley and its branches is for you to see here.
Transhumants from Göle, Ardanuç, Ardahan, and Hopa, who come to Yalnızçam Plateaus, form a rich liveliness there with their various cultures. Taking Artvin as the origin point, you go towards Berta Valley alongside Çoruh River by following Berta River, see Cehennem River (“River of Hell”) and the canyon called Cehennem Mountain Pass (“Mountain Pass of Hell”)–which deserves its name with the alarming rise of rocks-; and reach Ardanuç. When you keep going for another 10 kilometers, you reach Yalnızçam Passage and Bilbilan Plateau. For visitors interested in exploring, Karagöl is located at a two-hour walking distance towards the northeast from the plateau. Four lakes are located in a single pit, forming a magnificient scenery.
Sahara Plateau can be reached through the Şavşat-Ardahan route. The Traditional Pancarcı Festival, which begins on the Thursday of the third week of July every year and lasts until Sunday, is organized on the plateau. Karagöl, which is an avalanche lake, is surrounded by a forest of spruce and pine trees.
Village of Yaylalar: Yusufeli, situated at the point where Barhal Stream merges with Çoruh River, is quite famous for the climb routes to Kaçkar Mountains. From Yusufeli, you can reach Sarıgöl and the village of Barhal 15 kilometers after that. Barhal is the starting point for climbing Altıparmak Mountains and passing to Rize. As it is internationally a stopping point for mountaineers and hikers, restaurants and accomodation options are available here. Borçka-Gorgit Plateau welcomes visitors into a magical atmosphere with its naturally aged forests, vegetation, and insects unique to the area. There are no accomodation options on the plateau.
Culture & Entertainment
Among places to see is the fortress of Artvin located on a hill next to the banks of Çoruh River. This fortress, also known as Livane Fortress, is located at the exit from the Erzurum-Samsun highway to the city center of Artvin. This structure, which dates back to the 10th century, is very interesting with its tall tower. You can reach the site by walking on the path that was built from the city. However, you may choose to return by car or a form of public transportation as the road back is uphill.
Hamamlı (Dolıshana) Monastery Church, located in Hamamlı Village of central Artvin, Porta Monastery Church located in the Bağlık region of the village of Pirnallı, and Hatila Valley National Park –located 10 kilometers from the central city area- with its rich vegetation and geological structure are interesting.
Ardanuç is located away from the shoreline of Artvin and in the mountainous inner region. Yeni Rabat Church in the village of Bulanık, Gevhernik Fortress in the village of Adakale, Ferhatlı Fortress in the village of Ferhatlı, and Cehennem River Canyon (“Hell River Canyon”) are among places to see. Ardanuç Fortress, which dates back to prehistoric times, is located in the Adakale region. The tablet in the fortress, which is the home of remains from various times, belongs to Suleiman the Magnificent.
Within the borders of Şavşat district, together with Zor Mustafa Bey Shrine and the Tibet churches in the villages called Şavşat and Cevizli are among places to visit. Karagöl Sahara National Park is also located within the district’s border. Located within the district of Yusufeli, Barhal Church -which dates back to the 9th century-was made up only of hewn stone without any mortar. The inner and outer decorations of the structure are in very good condition.
Çoruh River and its branches are among few rivers in Turkey on which rafting is done. Upon request, travel agencies organize 4 or 8 day-long tours.The origin point of these tours, which include tenting, is usually the Çatakbahçe district of Erzurum. İspir, Çamlıkaya, Sebzeciler, and Barhal River are within the tour route.
Food & Drink
The winding road from Ardanuç to Ardahan follows the trail of colorful flowers and takes you to the 2 thousand 300 meter high Kutul Plateau. Located on a plateau located on the way is a restaurant in which you can enjoy mıhlama and meat dishes unique to the area.
Pastries stand out within the region’s cuisine. Hinkal, Su Böreği, Garşo (“Bread food”), Gaviçi, Çimur, Kete, Kada, and Silor are only some of them. Motrella, Lapurçen, and Puçuko –dishes which survive with their tastes and names- must be experienced. Turşu Kavurma (Roasted Pickles), Hamsili Pilav (Rice with Anchovies), Hamsi Buğulama (Steamed Anchovies), Kuymak (Turkish Polenta), and Mıhlama are also traditional Black Sea dishes that should not be forgotten.
Shopping
The port being put into operation and the Sarp Border Gate being opened up have led to significant developments in import and export, tourism, and international transportation services; in addition to an increase in the population and accomodation options. The production of Kiwi which has become quite common in recent years is slowly becoming an alternative for production of tea or hazelnuts.
Plateaus transform into a different shopping area as well. Bilbilan is a very wide and large plateau. Stores in addition to a plateau hotel are located at its central region. The plateau, bordering Ardahan, becomes alive with the marketplace that is set up there on every Saturday from June until the end of August.
No comments:
Post a Comment