• 46. Trabzon Half Marathon

The Jewel of the Black Sea: Trabzon

The founding of Trabzon, the emerald city on the Black Sea coast, dates back to 2000 BC. There is no definitive information about who founded it. However, there are views that it was founded by Turkic tribes of Central Asian origin who came via the Caucasus . The city's name first appears in Xenophon's work Anabasis as ‘Trapezus.’ It is said that this name was derived from the old city centre, Orta and Yukarı Hisar, which had a structure resembling a table. Located at the most important junction on the Silk Road between Europe and Asia, , has hosted many civilisations throughout history due to its importance. This beautiful city, which has been home to humanity since the earliest ages of history, possesses a rich cultural heritage filled with stories and songs. Historically, the city has been under the rule of the Milesians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Komnenos dynasties. Historically, the city has been under the rule of the Milesians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Komnenos. The Trabzon Komnenos Principality, established in the early 13th century and lasting over 250 years, , came to an end on 26 October 1461 with the conquest of Trabzon by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. . Museums, monasteries, mosques, tombs, caravanserais, bathhouses, covered markets, and the walls surrounding the city, along with examples of civil architecture and bazaars, are woven into the city's historical fabric like embroidery. This mysterious city of the East has been visited by numerous local and foreign travellers and has been praised by many local and foreign travellers, as well as being featured in the memoirs of the famous travellers Marko Polo and Evliya Çelebi .

The city where the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, whom Westerners call ‘magnificent,’ was born and lived until the age of 15, has many historical monuments that have survived from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods to the present day . In addition to its historical and cultural values, the city's lakes, rivers, mountains, and plateaus are the primary natural beauties that make the city unique. In addition to the natural beauties offered by the rainy climate, the rare works created by human hands are of a quality that will win the admiration of those who see them. , as well as the horon dance, kemençe, and other folkloric elements, are the main symbols of Trabzon's global promotion. With its natural location and other amenities, Trabzon is worth visiting in every season, with its historical monuments and vegetation displaying every shade of green, is a valuable treasure. Tobacco, hazelnuts and tea, which are among our leading agricultural products, make significant contributions to the local economy. Anchovies, which have been immortalised in poetry, has a special place in the city's cuisine. The legendary Trabzon butter and cheese, along with kuymak, a dish made from a mixture of cornmeal and butter, still hold their unique place in the local cuisine.