Samsun
From Turkey Travel Guide
Samsun is a city in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
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[edit] History
There is no specific information about how and when Samsun was established in prehistoric times, however archaeological research and investigations revealed that there used to be a civilization from the Copper Age, living in the southern side of the city, “the Dundar Hill". Moreover, before and during the Hittites, the area was chosen as the civilized area. This is known from the Hittite written sources.
BC 12th Century, after the political sovereignty of the Hittites in Anatolia, Samsun is thought to become the population area. BC Between 750-760 years, in the period of establishment of Greek colonies in Anatolia, Samsun was a small settlement called "Amisos". The city was established by Ion city state called Miletus (means nation in Greek). The city was dominated by Athenians in BC 5, Century BC 4th, the Persians, and then the Macedonians (Alexander the Great).
BC 47, Samsun was under Caesar's absolute sovereignty, and during the time of spreading Christianity, the city took a role as a bishopric center in the political and religious history of the Byzantine period. In 1071, after the battle of Manzikert (war between Byzantine Empire and Turks), the victory brought Turks the key to the Anatolia’s doors. The commander in charge, Melik Danisment Gazi, and the dynasty that he founded took control of the city. In 12th century, the city was passed into the hands of Anatolian Seljuk State, and around 14th century, Samsun was under Canik Bey. In 1413, the city was under the Ottoman Empire, and in 1427, the city was finally in the map under the name of Canik.
In 1869, Samsun had a very large fire, which burned down almost the entire city, but the city was a wealthy trade center, so it developed in a short period of time. After the fire, an architect was brought from France to rebuild the city. According to the architect’s plans, narrow streets that cut straight to each other and new houses were built.
After World War I, Turkey was shattered and invaded, so to save his country, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took action. He went undercover as a military inspector and took the Bandirma ferry to come to Samsun. Because of the rainy and stormy weather, it took him three days to come to Samsun. He set foot in the city on May 19, 1919 and started the National Defense. This date has been very important to the Turkish nation, and that is why it is celebrated every year since 1936. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, gave this day as a gift to the youth of our new nation. He declared this day as “the Youth and Sports Day”.
[edit]
Samsun is known as small-Asia, and it is located between two rivers which extend into the Black Sea. Samsun has Kizilirmak (Red River,Old Halys ) in the west side of the city, and this river is the one of the longest rivers in Anatolia. In the east side of the city, there is Yesilirmak (Green River, former Iris). Samsun is situated at the end of an ancient road from Cappadocia, and the Amisos lay on the headland northwest of the modern city.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
Samsun Airport is located 19 km from the city center. There is an office of Turkish Airlines in the center city, which has airport service vehicles to take the passengers to the airport.
Airport phone number: (+90-362)844 8830
[edit] By train
Samsun-Sivas and Samsun-Amasya railway connections are available. Station is located in the city center. Train station Tel : (+90-362) 233 22 93
[edit] By car
Samsun is located on the Black Sea highway.
[edit] By bus
Many transportation services from major cities have direct bus services to Samsun. It takes 8 to 10 hours to get to Samsun from Istanbul by bus. There is a bus terminal in the center city.
[edit] By boat
There is a port in center city. There used to be boats to Samsun from Istanbul everyday of the year, but because of the weather conditions, the ferry services are only available to passengers from June to August now.
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
There are car rentals around the city.
[edit] By public transport
The easiest and the cheapest way to travel around is to take public buses, or shared taxis called Dolmus.
[edit] By foot
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
(°F)
(51)
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(68)
(61)
(55)
(°F)
(39)
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(46)
(53)
(60)
(66)
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(61)
(55)
(47)
(43)
(inches)
(2.4)
(2.0)
(2.2)
(2.3)
(1.9)
(1.9)
(1.2)
(1.5)
(2.1)
(3.4)
(3.3)
(2.9)
[edit] See
Samsun has many museums that you can go and see.
SAMSUN ARCHAEOLOGY ANDHNOG ETRAPHY MUSEUM: This is the museum that everyone who comes to Samsun must see. It has everything from Trojan War's Akhilleus and Thetis to the Roman Empire. There are works from the Chalcolithic, First Bronze Age, Hittite, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Amisos treasury was found during diggings and it is also being exhibited in the central hall of the museum. The Jewelery (a crown, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, buttons, cloth ornaments, rings, etc.) which belong to a man, a woman and a female child from the Hellenistic Period, reflect the art and workmanship of those times. The coins of the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman and Republic periods are also being exhibited in this museum.
THE IKIZTEPE TUMULUS: It is located in the İkiztepe Village, which is 7 kilometres northwest of the Bafa District of Samsun. Ikiztepe has four hills. In Hill I, researchers found the Bronze Age I, II, and the Transition Age before Hittites. The First Bronze Age I and II and the Chalcolithic Age cultural ruins were found in the Hill II. From the diggings carried out in the Hill III and IV, researchers found out that the first Bronze Age III culture was dominant in this region.
TEKKEKOY CAVES: It is located within the borders of the Tekkeköy District, 14 kilometres to the east of Samsun. The people from the Paleolithic Age lived in these caves, and they did not know metal, so they made all their tools from stone, wood and bone. They survived by hunting and collecting, and they used various tools such as axes, lance tips, cutters, scrapers which they made by chipping stone. Vessels, earrings, bracelets, knives, daggers, barbs and pins were found in the digging activities and researches carried out in Tekkeköy. They were generally used as grave gift.
THE BAFRA ASARKALE and THE ROCK GRAVES: It is located within the Kızılırmak Valley, 30 kilometres southwest of the Bafra District. Asarkale is a castle from the Hellenistic Age, and it was built for defense. The three graves in this area were made by chipping the main rock, and they are from the same period.
If you want to know how about the first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, you can go to ATATURK Museum, and HAVZA ATATURK HOUSE to learn more about the Turkish nation.
[edit] Do
Samsun's Havza is one of the most important spa centers. Consisting of new and old buildings, hotels/motels as well as five thermal baths are available. The natural thermal baths have been proven to be remedies for many diseases. Ladik Thermal in this county has radioactive elements that treat and cure diseases, and that is why it is called "Youth Sense".
Samsun has many natural and beautiful sights that you can enjoy the true nature. Samsun's Red River Delta is Turkey's largest and most important wetlands. It has so far identified 318 bird species, and around winter time there are 100,000 wintering waterfowls.
[edit] Eat
Samsun is well-known with its Pide Bread in Turkey. One who goes to Samsun, has to try the pide bread there. It usually has cheese and ground beef in it, and it is the best in the country.
Marin Butik Hotel's restaurant has great selection of pide. http://www.marinbutikotel.com/
[edit] Drink
Marin Butik Hotel's bar is the place to go to. Bar has live music of rock and blues. http://www.marinbutikotel.com/
If you go to Atakum in Samsun, it has many bars in the area.
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Cem Hotel: It has 29 rooms and 64 beds.
Adress: Necipbey Caddesi No: 33/A SAMSUN Phone: 0119 0362 431 15 88 Website: www.cemotel.com.tr Email: bilgi@cemotel.com.tr
[edit] Mid-Range
North Point Hotel: The hotel has 64 rooms and 132 beds.
Adress: Atatürk Bulvarı No:594 SAMSUN Phone: 0119 0362 435 95 95 Website: www.northpointhotel.com
[edit] Upscale
Buyuk Samsun Hotel: It is Samsun's 5 star hotel with 112 rooms and 224 beds.
Adress: Kale Mahallesi Atatürk Bulvarı No:629 Phone: 0119 0362 432 49 99 Website: www.buyuksamsunhotel.com.tr
Marin Butik Hotel: It is a brand new elite hotel in Samsun. It has a great view of the Sea, and it is right on the shore. It also has an upscale restaurant and bar that most of Samsun's elite crowds like to go.
http://www.marinbutikotel.com/
[edit] Work
[edit] Learn
Samsun 19 Mayis University (OMU): The university has 10 faculties, 2 schools, 9 vocational schools, 4 graduate schools and 12 study and research centers and one conservatoire. Ondokuz Mayis University has 151 different departments and programs with about 21000 undergraduate and 2000 graduate students.
Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Faculty of Law. The graduate schools are Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences and Fine Arts.
[edit] Keep connected
[edit] Internet
You can find internet cafes all around the city.
[edit] Phone
Phone code for Samsun is 01190 (0362)
[edit] Post
Samsun Post Office(PTT)in Ilyaskoy Mahallesi, Ali Fuat Başgil Street, İlkadım = 0119(0362) 236-7873
Samsun Post Office in Koreli Street, Tekkeköy = 0119 (0362) 261-4421
[edit] Safety
Samsun Police Department(Samsun Emniyet Mudurlugu) - 0119 (0362)-311-3090 Address: Istasyon Mahallesi Saadet Street. No:119 / SAMSUN
155 is an emergency telephone number.
[edit] Stay Healthy
Samsun Public Hospital
Address: 55060 Adalet, Türkiye 55070 Phone: 0119 0362 230 33 00 Website: www.samsundh.gov.tr
[edit] External links
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