Tourist Destinations in Samsun-Division Essay-First Draft

                                                                     31.03.2014

                      Feyzanur Öztürk

                                                                                                                                           

                                                 Tourist Destinations in Samsun

     Samsun is the most developed city of the Black Sea Region in terms of education, health, industry, trade, transportation and economy. It is also known as “The Capital City of the Black Sea” or “Atatürk’s City”. At the same time, Samsun is a port city and it has got a wonderful coast. Its coast is divided into two parts as east and west. There are beaches, picnic areas and parks. In addition to these, there are also touristic areas inherited from the past. Some of them were restored or rebuilt making their models and were opened to visit. The Amisos Hill (Toptepe Tumulus), the Amazon Island, Tekkeköy Caves and the Bandırma Ship are the best known tourist destinations in Samsun.

     Toptepe tumuslus is one of archaeological sits. It was discovered in 1995. After a large-scale excavation work, that settlement belonged to the hellenistic period appeared. There located a tomb that is thought to belong to one of the families in the kingdom of Pontus. Additionally, Amisos treasure found in burial vaults is exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of Samsun. The excavation works were finished in 2008 and it was called as “the Amisos Hill”. These days, Amisos hill has been restored to serve tourism and burial vaults is opened to visitors. They go there by telpher or car. There is a restaurant which visitors can spend time accompanied by the soothing seascape and the view of Amazon Island.

     Amazon sculpture, Amazon water-channel, artificial ski-run, seafood restaurants and picnic areas are located in Amazon Island by the Amisos hill. A water park and a fitness center are planned to be build. Moreover, a village exists by name “Amazon Village” and symbolic beewax Amazon sculptures, pargettings and diary wares are placed in there. There are two sculptures which are called "Anatolian Lions" on the right and the left of the Amazon sculpture. Visitors can ride the elevator up in the sculptures to overlook Amazon Island. At same time, these sculptures are also museums.

      Tekkekoy caves was started to be digged in 1941 and was decleared as an archaeological sit. These days, after great efforts in Tekkekoy caves for geting them to contribute to tourism and economy, it is opened to visitors since 2013. The past of the settlement in the caves dates back to 60000 B.C. Mesolithic and Bronze ages' settlements are also included. Furthermore, Hittite trail, Phrygian Castle, old Greek houses are located around the caves.  The old Greek houses were opened to visitors after the restorations. Potteries and some other wares which were found during diggings are exhibited in these houses.

     The Bandırma Ship has got an important role in view of the birth of the Republic of Turkey. Bandırma is a ship which carried Atatürk from Istanbul and arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919, the date which traditionally marks the beginning of the Turkish Independence War. Therefore, Bandırma ship was rebuilt faithfully and opened to visit in 2003. This museum is an outdoor museum. In the museum, the beewax sculptures of Mustafa Kemal, his comrades in the army and the crew are on display.

       To sum up, in addition to these, there are a lot of places that should be seen. Samsun continues to develop from the point of tourism. The number of tourists coming to city increases year by year. The visitors are attracted by both its historical places and its natural beauty. Additionally, the cordial attitude of the people of Samsun is one of the best sides. Samsun which is a developed city in terms of education, health, industry, trade, transportation and economy is on the 17th rank in the livable cities list thanks to all these aspects.