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Trabzon

Trabzon

1. Uzun Street; 2. Trabzon at night; 3. Zagnos valley; 4. Faroz port; 5. Walls of Trabzon; 6. Hagia Sophia;

7. Sümela Monastery; 8. Uzungöl; 9. Atatürk pavilion

Country Turkey

Province Trabzon

Government

• Mayor Orhan Fevzi Gümrükçüoğlu (AKP)

Area[1]

• District 188.85 km2 (72.92 sq mi)

Elevation 0 m (0 ft)

Population (2012)[2]

• Urban 243,735

• District 312,060

• District density 1,700/km2 (4,300/sq mi)

Time zone EET (UTC+2)

• Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)

Postal code 61xxx

Area code(s) (+90) 462

Licence plate 61

Trabzon (see other names, Turkish pronunciation: [ˈtrabzon]) is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey and the capital of Trabzon Province. Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, became a melting pot of religions, languages and culture for centuries and a trade gateway to Iran in the southeast and the Caucasus to the northeast.[3] The Venetian and Genoese merchants paid visits to Trebizond during the medieval period and sold silk, linen and woolen fabric; with the Republic of Genoa having an important merchant colony within the city called Leonkastron that was similar to Galata near Constantinople (north across the Golden Horn) in present-day Istanbul.[4] Trabzon formed the basis of several states in its long history and was the capital city of the Empire of Trebizond between 1204 and 1461. During the Ottoman period, Trabzon, because of the importance of its port, became a focal point of trade to Iran and the Caucasus. The population of the center urban is 230,399 (2009 census).

Name The Turkish name of the city is Trabzon. It is historically known as Trebizond, Trapezund, Tribisonde and Trapezus. In Latin, Trabzon was called Trapezus, which is the latinization of the Ancient Greek Τραπεζοῦς (Trapezous), the first name of the city. (τράπεζα meant "table" in Ancient Greek; note the table on the coin in the figure.) Both in Pontic Greek and Modern Greek, it is called Τραπεζούντα (Trapezounda). In Ottoman Turkish and Persian, it is written as ط\\\\ربزون. During Ottoman times, Tara Bozan was also used.[5][6][7][8] Some western geographers used this name instead of the Latin Trebizond. In Laz it is known as ტამტრა (T'amt'ra) or

T'rap'uzani.,[9] in Georgian it is ტრაპიზონი(T'rap'izoni) and in Armenian it is Տրապիզոն Trapizon. The 19th-century Armenian travelling priest Byjiskian called the city by other, native names, including Hurşidabat and Ozinis.[10]

History Ancient and medieval The oldest area associated with the Kartvelians was northeastern Anatolia, including the ancient ancient monarchy of early-Georgians of Diauehi, later known as the culturally important region of T’ao-Klarjeti (part of Turkey since 1921), where they pre-dated the Hittites.[11][12][13]

A silver Greek drachma Trapezus coin from the 4th century BC

The city was founded as Τραπεζοῦς (Trapezous

of Milesian emporia or trading coloniesCyzicus (in the Dardanelles). Like most empire unto its own, in the later European sense of the word. Early banking (moneyoccurring in the city according to a silver

Trebizond's trade partners included the fighting their way out of Persia, the first Greek city they reached was Trebizond (Xenophon, city and the local Mossynoeci had become estranged from the Mossynoecian capital, to the point of civil war. Xenophon's force resolved this in the rebels' favor, and so in

The city was added to the kingdom of Pontusfleet.

Walls of Trabzon

When the kingdom was annexed to the Roman province of becoming the Classis Pontica. Trebizond gained importance under roads leading over the Zigana Pass to the constructed from Persia and Mesopotamiato give the city a more structured harbor. A Theoskepastos in nearby Kizlara, east of the citadel and south of the modern harbor. The city was pillaged by the Goths in 258, and, although it was afterwards reimportance in the 8th to 10th centuries; 10thMuslim merchants, as the main source transshipping times, the city was the capital of the theme

A fourteenth-century miniature Greek manuscript depicting

Trapezus coin from the 4th century BC

Trapezous) by Milesian traders (756 BC). It was one of a number (about ten) trading colonies along the shores of the Black Sea. Others include

ke most Greek colonies, the city was a small enclave of Greek life, and not an empire unto its own, in the later European sense of the word. Early banking (money-changing) activity is suggested occurring in the city according to a silver drachma coin from Trapezus in the British Museum

Trebizond's trade partners included the Mossynoeci. When Xenophon and the Ten Thousand, the first Greek city they reached was Trebizond (Xenophon,

city and the local Mossynoeci had become estranged from the Mossynoecian capital, to the point of civil war. Xenophon's force resolved this in the rebels' favor, and so in Trebizond's interest.

Pontus by Mithridates VI Eupator and it became home port for the Pontic

When the kingdom was annexed to the Roman province of Galatia in 64–65, the fleet passed to new commanders, . Trebizond gained importance under Roman rule in the 1st century for its acce

to the Armenian frontier or the upper Euphrates valley. New roads were Mesopotamia under the rule of Vespasian, and Hadrian commissioned improvements

to give the city a more structured harbor. A mithraeum now serves as a crypt for the church of Panaghia Theoskepastos in nearby Kizlara, east of the citadel and south of the modern harbor. The city was pillaged by the

in 258, and, although it was afterwards re-built, Trebizond did not recover until the trade route regained importance in the 8th to 10th centuries; 10th-century Muslim authors note that Trebizond was frequented by

rchants, as the main source transshipping Byzantine silks into eastern Muslim countries.theme of Chaldia. It was also ruled by Danishmendids

manuscript depicting Byzantine Greek soldiers from the Empire of Trebizond.

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traders (756 BC). It was one of a number (about ten) along the shores of the Black Sea. Others include Sinope, Abydos and

colonies, the city was a small enclave of Greek life, and not an anging) activity is suggested

h Museum, London.

Ten Thousand mercenaries were , the first Greek city they reached was Trebizond (Xenophon, Anabasis, 5.5.10). The

city and the local Mossynoeci had become estranged from the Mossynoecian capital, to the point of civil war.

ecame home port for the Pontic

65, the fleet passed to new commanders, rule in the 1st century for its access to

valley. New roads were commissioned improvements

now serves as a crypt for the church of Panaghia Theoskepastos in nearby Kizlara, east of the citadel and south of the modern harbor. The city was pillaged by the

built, Trebizond did not recover until the trade route regained century Muslim authors note that Trebizond was frequented by

into eastern Muslim countries.[14] In Byzantine Danishmendids between 1080 and 1098.

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After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, a Byzantine successor state was founded there with support of Queen Tamar of Georgia, the Empire of Trebizond, which ruled part of the Black Sea coast from Trebizond until 1461, when its ruler, David, surrendered to Mehmed II, ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Following this takeover, Mehmed sent many Turkish settlers into the area, but the old ethnic Laz, Armenian, and Greek communities remained. During the late Ottoman period, the city had a great Christian influence in terms of culture, and a wealthy merchant class who created several Western consulates.

Ottoman era The city became part of the Ottoman Empire after 1461.[15] During Bayezid II's reign, his son, Prince Selim was the sancakbeyi of Trabzon, and his son Suleiman I of the Ottoman Empire was born in Trabzon in 1495. Trabzon became the capital of the Vilayet of Trebizond, that was a vilayet of the north-eastern part of the Ottoman Empire. According to the Ottoman defter, the population of the city in 1523 was a total of 1,473 adult males.[16] Of the total population, 85% was Christian, 1,252 adult males, 13% of the total population was Armenian, 197 adult males and 15% of the total population was Muslim, 221 adult males.[16]

During Ottoman era, Local Chepni and Laz beys were appointed as beylerbey. It is recorded that even some Bosniak beys appointed by Sublime Porte ruled Trabzon as beylerbey. During Ottoman campaign in Europe (16th-17th century), "beylerbeylik" of Trabzon had always sent troops.

Modern era

Port of Trabzon in the 1920s.

Uzun Sokak, one of the busiest pedestrian shopping streets in Trabzon.

In 1901 the harbour was equipped with cranes by Stothert and Pitt of Bath in England. The city was the site of one of the key battles between the Ottoman and Russian armies during the Caucasus Campaign of World War I which resulted in the capture of Trabzon by the Russian Caucasus Army under command of Grand Duke Nicholas and Nikolai Yudenich in April 1916. Russian general Shvartz's army caused a massive destruction in Trabzon.[17] Russians banned[17] Muslim mosques, and forced Turks, who were the main ethnic group of the city, to leave Trabzon.[18] At last, the Russian Army retreated from the city and the rest of eastern and northeastern Anatolia with the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Trabzon was a major Armenian extermination centre during the Armenian Genocide, as well as a location of subsequent trials (see Trabzon during the Armenian Genocide). Many of the victims were taken out to sea in boats that were then capsized.[19] The Trabzon trials reported Armenians having been drowned in the Black Sea.[20]

Following the Turkish War of Independence and the annulment of the Treaty of Sèvres (1920) which was replaced by the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), Trabzon again became a part of Turkey. In the early 1920s there was a mass exodus of Greeks from Trabzon and the vicinity, to the relatively new Greek state.[21]

During World War II shipping activity was limited because the Black Sea had again become a war zone. Hence the most important export products, tobacco and hazelnut, could not be sold and living standards degraded.

As a result of the general development of the country, Trabzon has developed its economic and commercial life. The coastal highway and a new harbour have increased commercial relations with Central Anatolia, which has led to some growth. However, progress has been slow in comparison with the western and the southwestern parts of Turkey.

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Trabzon is famous throughout Turkey for its anchovies called hamsi, which are the main meal in many restaurants in the city. Major exports from Trabzon are hazelnuts and tea.

The city may still have a small community of Greek-speaking Muslims, most of whom are originally from the vicinities of Tonya and Of. However, the Pontic Greek language (known as Romeiaka or Ποντιακά, Pontiaka) is spoken mostly by the older generations.[22]

Geography and climate Trabzon Province has a total area of 4,685 square kilometres (1,809 sq mi) and is bordered by the provinces of Rize, Giresun and Gümüşhane. The total area is 22.4% plateau and 77.6% hills. The Pontic Mountains pass through the Trabzon Province.

Trabzon used to be an important reference point for navigators in the Black Sea during harsh weather conditions. The popular expression "perdere la Trebisonda" (losing Trebizond) is still commonly used in the Italian language to describe situations in which the sense of direction is lost.[4] The Italian maritime republics such as Venice and in particular Genoa were active in the Black Sea trade for centuries, using Trabzon as an important seaport for trading goods between Europe and the Middle East.[4]

Sümela Monastery in the Maçka district of Trabzon, on the Pontic Mountains.

A traditional rural Pontic house in Livera village, Maçka district, Trabzon.

Lake Uzungöl in Çaykara district, Trabzon.

A village in Çaykara district, Trabzon.

Rivers Değirmendere (ancient Piksidis), Yanbolu, Fol, Karadere, Koha, Sürmene (ancient Manahos) ve súrmene (küçük dere), Solaklı, Baltacı and Đyidere (ancient Kalopotamos.)

Lakes Uzungöl, Çakırgöl, Sera Gölü.

Climate Trabzon has a climate typical of the Black Sea region with plentiful precipitation. Under the Köppen climate classification, it has a borderline oceanic/humid subtropical climate (Cfb/Cfa)[24] Summers are warm and humid, and the average maximum temperature is around 26.7 °C (80 °F) in August. Winters are cool and damp, and the lowest average minimum temperature is around 5 °C (41 °F) in January.

Precipitation is heaviest in autumn and winter, with a marked reduction in the summer months. Snowfall is quite common between the months of December and March, snowing for a week or two, and it can be heavy once it snows.

The water temperature, like in the rest of the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is always cool and fluctuates between 8(46 °F) and 20 °C (68 °F) throughout the year.

Economy As of 1920, the port at Trabzon, was considered "the most important of the Turkish Black Sea ports," by the British. It traded as far as Tabriz and Mosulagreement to develop a harbor at the port. When the Russians occupied Trabzon, a breakwater and were responsible for creating an extended pier, making loading and unloading easier. In 1920, Trabzon produced linen cloth, silver filagreehazelnuts were exported.[28] The tobacco produced in Trabzon was called having "large leaves and a bright colour."were grown for local use.[30]

Trabzon produced a white green bean, which was sold in Europe. It was, as of 1920, the only vegetable exported out of the province.[29] Poultry farming 1914.[31] The area produced copper, silvercoppersmiths. During the Balkan Wars

People

Basilios Bessarion was born in Trabzon on January 2, 1403.

The current ethnic background of the people of Trabzon is mostly language of these ethnic groups is Turkishethnic groups; mostly Chepni Turkmensspeakers) and Armenians (Hemshin).[34]

a significant number of Russians, Ukrainians and people from the Caucasus (mostly Georgia) into the city. Russlanguage shops and facilities can be found in the town.

Pontic Greek has been spoken in the region since early antiquity. The local dialect developed along its own lines and is today partly intelligible to speakers of Standard Greek. It was spoken mainly by a ethnic population up to the population exchangeMuslims.[citation needed] A very similar dialect is spoken by a community of about 400 speakers, descendants of Christians from the Of valley now living in Greece in the of Katerini, Central Macedonia.[39]

Laz people, who are aboriginal to this area, also live in Trabzon. Numerous villages inside and out of Trabzon of the Laz date back as early as the period of Thamar; c. 1160 – 18 January 1213) in the newly unified groups of immigrating Georgians moved to Trabzon where they continue to preserve their native tongue. There was an Armenian community in Trebizond as early as the 7th century.

emperature, like in the rest of the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is always cool and fluctuates between 8°F) throughout the year.

was considered "the most important of the Turkish Black Sea ports," by the Mosul. As of 1911, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey

at the port. When the Russians occupied Trabzon, a mole and were responsible for creating an extended pier, making loading and unloading easier. In 1920,

filagree, tanning and small amounts of cotton, silk and The tobacco produced in Trabzon was called Trebizond-Platana

having "large leaves and a bright colour."[29] Trabzon was known for producing poor quality

, which was sold in Europe. It was, as of 1920, the only vegetable exported was also popular in Trabzon. Sericulture was seen in the area before

silver, zinc, iron and manganese. Copper was kept for local use by production ceased due to poor exportation and fuel supplies.

was born in Trabzon on January 2, 1403. Suleiman the Magnificent was born in Trabzon on November 6, 1494

The current ethnic background of the people of Trabzon is mostly Circassian[33] and TurkishTurkish.[36] Locals self-identifying as Turks consists of a variety of different

ethnic groups; mostly Chepni Turkmens[37] and Laz people but also smaller groups of Muslim Greeks[34][38] Modern migration since the dissolution of the

a significant number of Russians, Ukrainians and people from the Caucasus (mostly Georgia) into the city. Russlanguage shops and facilities can be found in the town.

has been spoken in the region since early antiquity. The local dialect developed along its own lines oday partly intelligible to speakers of Standard Greek. It was spoken mainly by a

population exchange; nearly all speakers of this local variant of Pontic Greek are now A very similar dialect is spoken by a community of about 400 speakers, descendants of

Christians from the Of valley now living in Greece in the village of Nea Trapezounta (New Trebizond), today part

, who are aboriginal to this area, also live in Trabzon. Numerous villages inside and out of Trabzon of the Laz date back as early as the period of Queen Tamar's rule (Georgian: თამარი, also transliterated as T'amar or

18 January 1213) in the newly unified Kingdom of Georgia. During the Queen's rulgroups of immigrating Georgians moved to Trabzon where they continue to preserve their native tongue. There was an Armenian community in Trebizond as early as the 7th century.[40]

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emperature, like in the rest of the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is always cool and fluctuates between 8 °C

was considered "the most important of the Turkish Black Sea ports," by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey signed an

was built.[27] They built a and were responsible for creating an extended pier, making loading and unloading easier. In 1920,

and wool. Tobacco and Platana. It was described as

Trabzon was known for producing poor quality cereals, most which

, which was sold in Europe. It was, as of 1920, the only vegetable exported was seen in the area before

. Copper was kept for local use by production ceased due to poor exportation and fuel supplies.[32]

was born in Trabzon on November 6, 1494.

Turkish.[34][35] The main identifying as Turks consists of a variety of different

Muslim Greeks (Romeyka-Modern migration since the dissolution of the Soviet Union has brought

a significant number of Russians, Ukrainians and people from the Caucasus (mostly Georgia) into the city. Russian

has been spoken in the region since early antiquity. The local dialect developed along its own lines oday partly intelligible to speakers of Standard Greek. It was spoken mainly by a Greek Orthodox multi-

; nearly all speakers of this local variant of Pontic Greek are now A very similar dialect is spoken by a community of about 400 speakers, descendants of

(New Trebizond), today part

, who are aboriginal to this area, also live in Trabzon. Numerous villages inside and out of Trabzon of , also transliterated as T'amar or

. During the Queen's rule, sizeable groups of immigrating Georgians moved to Trabzon where they continue to preserve their native tongue. There was

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During the 13th and 14th centuries, numerous Armenian families migrated here from Ani.[40] According to Ronald C. Jennings, in the early 16th century, Armenians made up approximately 13 percent[41] of the city's population.[42] At present, Trabzon does not have an Armenian-speaking community.

The Chepni people, a tribe of Oghuz Turks who played an important role in the history of the eastern Black Sea area in the 13th and 14th centuries, live in the Şalpazarı (Ağasar valley) region of the Trabzon Province.[43] Very little has been written on the Turkification of the area. There are no historical records of any considerable Turkish-speaking groups in the Trabzon area until the late 15th century, with the exception of the Chepnis. The original Greek (and in some regions Armenian) speakers imposed features from their mother language into the Turkish spoken in the region. Heath W. Lowry's[44] work with Halil Đnalcık on Ottoman tax books (Tahrir Defteri)[45] provides detailed demographic statistics for the city of Trabzon and its surrounding areas during the Ottoman period.

It is possible that the majority of the population of Trabzon and Rize (and other ancient Greek colonies in the Pontus region) — except up to the time of the Chepni Turk immigration waves — consisted of indigenous Caucasian tribes (the Colchians and the Laz) who had been partly Hellenized religiously and linguistically.[46] Michael Meeker stresses the cultural resemblances (e.g. in village structure, house types, and pastoral techniques) between the Eastern Black Sea coast and the areas in the Caucasus proper.[47]

Main sights

Hagia Sophia

Atatürk Köşkü

Atatürk Square in Trabzon

Trabzon has a number of tourist attractions, some of them dating back to the times of the ancient empires that once existed in the region. In the city itself, one can find a hub of shops, stalls and restaurants surrounding the Meydan, a square in the center of the city, which includes a tea garden.

• The Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya Müzesi), a stunning Byzantine church, is probably the town's most important tourist attraction.

• Trabzon Castle ruins are visible in the town but cannot be visited as they fall in a military zone. The outside wall of the castle now serves as the back wall of a military building.

• The "Atatürk Köşkü" is a villa built in 1890 by a local Greek merchant. In 1924 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed in the villa during his visit to Trabzon. He stayed there again in 1937. It houses period rooms and serves as a monument to the memory of the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey.

• Boztepe Park is a small park and tea garden on the hills above Trabzon that has a panoramic view of nearly the entire city. The terrain in Trabzon is ascending in such a way that although the view is far above that of the buildings below, it is still close enough to be able to observe the flow of traffic and the people moving about in the city.

• Uzun Sokak is one of the most crowded streets of Trabzon.

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• Trabzon Museum is located in the town centre and offers interesting exhibits on the history of the region, including an impressive collection of Byzantine artifacts.

• Trabzon's Bazaar District offers interesting shopping opportunities on ancient narrow streets, continuing from Kunduracılar Street from the Meydan (town square).

• Kostaki Mansion is located to the north of Zeytinlik near Uzun Sokak.

Other sites of the city include: Fatih Mosque (originally the Panagia Khrysokephalos Church), Yeni Cuma Mosque (originally the Agios Eugenios Church), Nakip Mosque (originally the Agios Andreas Church), Hüsnü Köktuğ Mosque (originally the Agios Elevtherios Church), Đskender Pasha Mosque, Semerciler Mosque, Çarşı Mosque, Gülbahar Hatun Mosque and Türbe (commissioned by Sultan Selim I), Kalepark (originally Leonkastron).

Within Trabzon Province, the main attractions are the Sümela Monastery (i. e. the Monastery of the Panagia Soumelá) and the Uzungöl lake. The monastery is built on the side of a very steep mountain overlooking the green forests below and is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of the city. Uzungöl is famous for the natural beauty of the area and the amazing scenery. Other important sites of interest in the broader region include:

• Kaymaklı Monastery, a formerly Armenian Monastery of the All-Saviour (arm. Ամենափրկիչ Վանք, Amenaprgič Vank),

• Kızlar Monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos (the God-veiled Virgin), • Kuştul Monastery of Gregorios Peristereotas (gr. Ιερά Μονή του Αγίου Γεωργίου Περιστερεώτα, Ierá Moní tou

Agíou Georgíou Peristereóta), • Vazelon Monastery of Agios Savvas (Maşatlık), • Cave churches of Agia Anna (Little Ayvasıl), Sotha (St. John), Agios Theodoros, Agios Konstantinos, Agios

Christophoros, Agia Kyriakí, Agios Michail and Panagia Tzita churches.[48]

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Culture

The 10th century Trebizond Gospel is a testimony to the artistic traditions of the city.

Folk dancing is still very much in evidence in the Black Sea region. The "Horon" is a famous dance which is indigenous to the city and its surrounding area. It is performed by men, women, the young and elderly alike; in festivities, local weddings and harvest times.[49] While similar to Russian Cossack dances in terms of vividness, the Trabzon folk dance is probably indigenous to the eastern Black Sea region, which has an impressive variety of folk music .

The people of Trabzon have a reputation for being religiously conservative and nationalist. Many Trabzonites generally show a strong sense of loyalty to their family, friends, religion and country. Atatürk selected his presidential guards from Trabzon and the neighbouring city of Giresun because of their fierce fighting ability and their loyalty.

Outside of the relatively urban space of Trabzon proper, and within parts of it as well, rural traditions from the Black Sea village life are still thriving. These include traditional gender roles, social conservatism, hospitality and a willingness to help strangers; and all aspects, both positive and negative, of an agrarian lifestyle, such as hard work, poverty, strong family ties, and a closeness to nature.

The people of the eastern Black Sea region are also known for their wit and sense of humour; in fact many jokes in Turkey are told about the natives of the Black Sea region Karadeniz fıkraları (Black Sea jokes). The character Temel, a universal buffon figure found in many cultures, forms an important part of the Turkish oral tradition.

The city's profile was raised somewhat in the English-speaking world by Dame Rose Macaulay's last novel, The

Towers of Trebizond (1956), which is still in print.[50]

Education

A view from the Black Sea Technical University campus.

Black Sea Technical University in Trabzon hosts students from all over Turkey, especially from the Black Sea and East Anatolian regions, as well as students from the Turkic states in Central Asia.

Historically the city was a center of Greek culture and education and from 1683 to 1921, a teachers' college operated known as Phrontisterion of Trapezous, which provided a major impetus for the rapid expansion of Greek education throughout the region.[51] The building of this institution still remains the most impressive Pontic Greek monument in the city and today hosts the Turkish school Anadolu Lisesi.[52]

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Cuisine Trabzon's regional cuisine is traditionally reliant on fish, especially hamsi (fresh European Anchovy similar to the British Sprat or American Smelt). Trabzon meets 20% of the total fish production in Turkey. Regional dishes include the Akçaabat köfte (spicy lamb meatball from the Akçaabat district), Karadeniz pidesi (canoe shaped pita bread, often filled with ground beef, cheese and eggs), kuymak (a Turkish fondue made with cornmeal, fresh butter and cheese), Vakfıkebir ekmeği (large country-style bread), Tonya tereyağı (Tonya butter), tava mısır ekmeği (deep-dish corn bread) and kara lahana çorbası (bean and cabbage soup). Taflan kavurması is a cherry laurel dish served with onions and olive oil. Trabzon is also famous for its hazelnuts. The Black Sea region of Turkey is the world's largest producer of cherry and hazelnut; and a large production area of tea; all of which play an important role in the local cuisine.

Sports

Trophies won by Trabzonspor at the club's museum.

Football is by far the most popular sport in Trabzon, as Trabzonspor was until 2010 the only Turkish club in Anatolia to win the Turkish Super League (six times), as the "Big Three" of Istanbul (Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Beşiktaş) had previously dominated and continue to do so. Due to Trabzonspor's success, the decades-old term "Big Three" which defined the largest clubs of Turkey had to be modified into the "Big Four".

Trabzonspor is also one of the most successful Turkish clubs in the European Cups, managing to beat numerous prominent teams such as Barcelona, Inter, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Olympique Lyonnais. Renowned former players of Trabzonspor include Şenol Güneş, Lars Olsen and Shota Arveladze.

Trabzon hosted the First Edition of the Black Sea Games in July 2007 and the 2011 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival.

European Olympic Committees President Patrick Hickey told Olympic news source Around the Rings[53] that the European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon would be the perfect platform for a 2020 Olympic bid from Istanbul. "If Istanbul is going to make a bid, certainly the Trabzon Games will be a great platform, if they show they can run a very good event at that level. It is then a great indicator of bigger things to come," he said.

Notable residents

• Sunay Akın, poet and writer • Engin Ardıç, writer and TV commentator • Athanasios of Athos (10th century AD), Orthodox

saint • Adem Ayral, actor • Cemal Azmi (1868–1922), governor • Basilios Bessarion, bishop, scholar and writer who

influenced the Renaissance • Gregory Choniades, Greek astronomer • Ertem Eğilmez, film director • Eugenius of Trebizond, Christian saint and martyr • Mualla Eyüboğlu, one of Turkey's first female

architects[54]

• Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, painter and poet • George of Trebizond, philosopher, scholar and writer

who influenced the Renaissance • Erol Günaydın, actor • Şenol Güneş, football player and manager • Hayati Hamzaoğlu, actor • Periklis Hristoforidis, Greek actor • John VIII, Greek Orthodox Patriarch • Adnan Kahveci, politician • Tugay Kerimoğlu, football player • Volkan Konak musician • Hami Mandıralı, football player

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• Altan Öymen, journalist, writer and politician • Michael Panaretos, Greek historian and statesman • Ioannis Passalidis, Greek politician • Dimitris Psathas (1907–1979), Greek playwright • Hasan Saka, politician, minister of foreign affairs and

prime minister • Osman Şirin, president of the High Court of Appeals

of Turkey

• Suleiman the Magnificent, Ottoman sultan • Cevdet Sunay, General and fifth president of Turkey • Leon Zaven Surmelian (1907–1995), Armenian-

American writer • Fatih Tekke, football player • Bahriye Üçok, theologist, politician, writer, columnist

and women's rights activist