Samsun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Image:Samsun.jpgSamsun (Greek: Σαμψούντα Sampsoúnta) is a city in northern Turkey, on the coast of the Black Sea, with a population of 396,900 as of 2004. It is the capital city of Samsun Province and an important port at Black Sea coast. Samsun was founded as the colony Amisos by settlers from Miletus in the 7th century BC. It was later a part of the realm Pontus.
Samsun has a major importance in the near history of Turkey since Mustafa Kemal initiated the War of Independence at 19 May ,1919. May 19th is one of the official National Days of Turkey and is celebrated as Commemoration of Ataturk, youth and sports festival.
Samsun has become an important trade centre; its large and modern port is the busiest on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea. The aromatic Turkish tobacco is grown in the deltas. Few things remind the visitor of the rich past of this town.
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[edit] History
People always were attracted by the combination of fertile ground and shallow waters for a harbor. Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade with the Ancient peoples of Anatolia. In the 3rd century BC Samsun came under the rule of the expanding Kingdom of Pontus. Initially the Kingdom of Pontus had been a part of the empire of Alexander the Great that broke up soon after his death in the 4th century BC. At its zenith the Kingdom of Pontus controlled the north as well as parts of Central Anatolia and merchant towns on the northern Black Sea shores.
According to some ancient myths the delta east of Samsun was the land of the Amazons. The geographer Strabo (64 BC-21 AD) describes the Amazons as a people of female warriors. In order to shoot easily with bow and arrow they had one of their breast removed. Amazon is derived from the old Greek and means 'without breasts'. The Amazons used men from neighboring peoples to reproduce themselves and male children were sent to neighboring peoples. The myths situate the period of the Amazons about 1200 BC.
The Romans took over in 47 BC and were replaced by the Byzantines. The town was captured by the Seljuk Turks (around 1200 AD), taken over by the Ilhanid Mongols and later became part of a Turkish principality. Samsun was incorporated in the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the first part of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese burnt the town to the ground.
Under Ottoman rule the land around the town later mainly produced Turkish tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century and the tobacco trade flourished. Its port had fallen prey to a slow decay and despite the tobacco Samsun became a rather dormant place.
The city has also an important place in modern Turkish history because the beginning of national liberation movement was initiated in 1919 by Atatürk’s landing in Samsun.
- For more details on this topic, see Turkish War of Independence.
[edit] Geography
Samsun is situated between two river delta's which jutt out into the Black Sea. It is located at the end of an ancient route from Cappadocia (ref. Princeton); the Amisos of antiquity lay on the headland northwest of the modern city. West of the town lies the Kızılırmak ("Red River", the Halys of antiquity), one of the longest rivers in Anatolia and its fertile delta. East of the town are the Yeşilırmak ("Green River", the Iris of antiquity) and its delta.
[edit] Places to see
The town's centre, Cumhuriyet Meydani (Square of the Republic), is near the port. North of Cumhuriyet Meydani (at Atatürk Bulvari) is the Tourist Information Office. A bit west is the Statue of Atatürk's Landing. Further West along Atatürk Bulvari, are the Buyuk Samsun Hotel and thereafter the Kultur Sarayi (Palace of Culture). Concerts and other performances are held at the Kultur Sarayi, which is shaped much like a ski jump.
East of the tourist office is the Archaeological and Atatürk Museum. The archaeological part of the museum displays ancient artifacts found in the Samsun area. The Atatürk section includes photographs of his life and some personal belongings. The museum is open from 8:30 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00.
Following the road north to the port and turning right brings you to The Russian Market (Rus Pazari).
East of Cumhuriyet Meydani, visitors may have a glass of tea, coffee or something cold in the pleasant Park. In the evening, it is not uncommon to have a conversation with the friendly locals.
In the eastern side of the park stands an large equestrian Statue of Atatürk. The Austrian sculptor Heinz Kriphel worked on it for three years (1928-1931).
It's also possible to have a ride in a two horse drawn carriage (fayton), mostly there will be some of those waiting at Cumhuriyet Meydani or in the shade opposite Atatürk Bulvari. The Black Sea people love their horses and take a pride in and depend on them. The horses are well groomed and tenderly cared for, farmer's carts are often painted with local motifs.
South from Cumhuriyet Meydani you can follow the 19 Mayis Bulvari. It will take you right away to the Atatürk (Gazi) Museum. It houses Atatürk's bedroom, his study and conference room as well some personal belongings.
Nearby is the Pazar Mosque, Samsun's oldest surviving building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century.
On the way to Amasya the road climbs slowly but steadily and passes over the Karadag Gecidi (Karadag Pass) at an altitude of 940 meters. The landscape is green and little streams flow beneath the road.
Havza is a little charming town and is still well known for its hot springs (56 °C). In Havza Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, just before he started the Turkish War of Independence, learned that the area was overrun by Pontic Greek partizans. A mass meeting was staged and the citizens adopted a policy of resistance. The Sultan's government in Istanbul sent, (under the heavy pressure of the Entente powers,) to the Inspector General Mustafa Kemal in Havza, an order to return to the capital (Istanbul). Mustafa Kemal disobeyed this and all succeeding orders. Since British troops were not far off and had heard what was going on in Havza, he decided to move about 50 kilometers further to Amasya. In Havza the goal of putting up resistance was reached.
[edit] Climate
Samsun has a humid temperate marine climate with cool winters and warm summers with high rainfall throughout the year.
[edit] External links
- Road map, Samsun province
- Governorships of Samsun
- Samsun Municipality
- Samsun Chamber of Trade and Industry
- Samsunspor football team
- Pictures of the city
- Samsun, local informations
- Armenia history and presence in Samson
- Richard Stillwell, ed. Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites, 1976: "Amisos (Samsun), Pontus, Turkey"
| Image:Samsun Turkey Provinces locator.gif | Districts of Samsun | Image:Flag of Turkey.svg |
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Samsun | Alaçam | Asarcık | Ayvacık | Bafra | Çarşamba | Havza | Kavak | Ladik | Ondokuzmayıs | Salıpazarı | Tekkeköy | Terme | Vezirköprü | Yakakent | ||
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