Sinop City Guide

Sinop City Guide

Sinop is situated on Boztepe Cape and Peninsula, which is the sharpest point toward the north, on the shore of the Black Sea. It is surrounded by Kastamonu from the west, Çorum from the south, Samsun from the southeast, and the Black Sea from the north sides. From its 475 kilometer long borders, the 300 kilometer long portion is on land, while the remaining 175 kilometers are to the sea. Having a very rich history, the first settlement in Sinop began in Istifan (Stephana), Sinop (Sinope), and Kabalı Stream valleys, located in Ayancık.These settlements date back to the 4500s BC. Having a splendid nature in addition to its history, Sinop is a very important historical and touristic city in the region.

Tourist Attractions

Sinop Fortress: Built in 7th century BC in order to protect the city, it was used after restorations during the rule of Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks. Today, it stands as one of the historic symbols of the city. 

Balatlar Church: This building, believed to have been used as a theater or bath in Roman times, was transformed into a church by the Byzantine Empire. In 2000, the church was nationalized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and was opened to visitors.

Alaaddin Mosque: It was built right after Sinop was conquered, during the rule of the Seljuks. In the middle of its courtyard, there is a fountain, while there are tombs from the Isfendiyarogullari Beylik on another corner.

Pasha Bastion: It was built during the Ottoman-Russian wars on the southeastern part of the Sinop Peninsula for purposes of protection from the attacks coming from the sea, in the 19th century. The bastion, shaped like a crescent, is made of 11 cannon seats, an arsenal, and a cellar. Today, it is a touristic establishment with restaurants.

Old Sinop Prison – Old Sinop Shipyard: The area where the prison is located used to be the biggest shipyard in the Black Sea during Ottoman rule. The prison, which was built on the old shipyard in the inner chamber of the fortress, was started to be used as a prison in 1887. Today, the prison is used as a museum.

Martyrdom: The Martyrdom located on the grounds of the Sinop Museum was made for the sailors who were killed in the 1853 Ottoman-Russian war.

Camp Grounds: Within the natural surroundings of Sinop, there are numerous camp grounds. Among those are Özel İdare Karakum Holiday Village, Gazi Forest Camp Ground, Yuvam Tesisleri , Güney Kamping , Martı Kamping in the Akliman district, and Demirkollar Kamping

Akliman District: Akliman, 9 kilometers west from downtown Sinop, is famous with its wide and long beaches. Picnic areas where the forest and the sea are intertwined are among the most important meeting spots of the city.

Hamsilos Bay: Hamsilos,11 kilometers away from downtown, was declared as a First Degree Protected Natural Area by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. An untouched natural area where the sea and the forest are meshed together...

Mobil and Korucuk Village Localities: It is the area that is frequented the most by tourists with its peaceful sea and spotless beaches.

Akgöl: Located in the district of Ayancık, Akgöl is an area of plateau tourism. The artificial pond and its surroundings are used as picnic and promenade areas.

İnaltı Cave: Stairs for visitors are available in the cave, which is located in Ayancık.

Erfelek Waterfalls: These untouched waterfalls, 42 kilometers away from downtown Sinop, are located near Tatlıca village, located in the district of Erfelek. 28 waterfalls, varying in size, located a two kilometer long valley create a paradise-like atmosphere.

Culture & Entertainment

Being very rich in culture, the settlement of Sinop has begun in the Bronz Age, making the city one of the oldest in Anatolia. Sinop; which came under Roman, Byzantian, Seljuk, and Ottoman rule in 70 BC, 395 AD, October 3rd 1214, and 1461 respectively; underwent hellenization in language and culture as a result of Orthodox Christianity. However, the expansion of the Turk-Islam culture after Sinop came under Turkish rule laid the foundations of the city’s current structure. Having a priceless cultural heritage with its archeological ruins, ethnology, and folklore; Sinop will celebrate the 795th anniversary of living under Turkish rule in 2009.

Being the land of many civilizations from the Early Bronze Age to our time and having the castles, mosques, tombs, masjids, and bastions remaining from them; Sinop displays this heritage in its city museum.

In addition to the historical cultural heritage, Sinop also hosts annual events. Sinop Festival, Ayancık Festival, and Gerze Festival take place in July and Karakucak Wrestling Festival takes place in April and August, while Türkeli Summer Festival takes place in August.

Food & Drink

In this region,where all kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown, fishing is also very common. Due to this reason, a large part of the local dishes are made of vegetables and fish. Pastries are also common in the cuisine. The pastry called “nokul” -made of minced meat, grapes, walnuts, and sugar-, keşkek (kashkak), pita called “katlama” (folded), manti –traditional Turkish dumpling- called “kulak (ear)”, cerkez tavuğu (Circassian chicken), pita with minced meat, saç böreği (a pastry made on a sheet iron), kuyu kebabi (pit kabob), and hamsi dolması (stuffed anchovy) are important ones among the region’s unique dishes.

Shopping

Among the handcrafted souvenirs in Sinop, yachting is not only very developed, but also praised by tourists. Linen textile and “cember” made on small workbenches are admired by the public and used as both headscarfs and for decorative purposes. Carpets and rugs and handiwork with beads, which are all made by the prisoners in the central prison, are very famous. Linen handmade textile are very common in the Ayancık region. Mahrama and Durağan Cloth are woven in the district of Durağan. In addition to the local merchandise, modern shopping places for all potential needs are available.