Trabzon

Trabzon (Greek: Τραπεζούντα, Trapezounta) 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 east, Russia and the Caucasus to the North [1]. Venetian and Genoese paid visit and sold silk, linen and woolen fabric. During the Ottoman period Trabzon, because of the importance of its port, became a focal point of trade to Iran, India and the Caucasus. Trabzon formed the basis of several states in its long history, and was the capital city of the Empire of Trebizond. Originally, it was founded as Trebizond (Τραπεζοῦς) by Greek traders from Miletus (traditionally in 756 BC). When Xenophon and the "ten thousand" Greek mercenaries were fighting their way out of Persia, the first Greek city they reached was Trebizond (Xenophon, Anabasis, 5.5.10).

The Sümela Monastery (Greek: Παναγία Σουμελά, Turkish: Sümela Manastırı) stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, Turkey. The monastery was founded in the year 386 (during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I, AD 375 - 395) by two Athenian priests - Barnabas and Sophronius. That was a climb and a half!!!!!

The Hagia Sophia (Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, meaning "Holy Wisdom"; Turkish: Ayasofya), now the Hagia Sophia Museum, is a former church and mosque located in the city of Trabzon in the north-eastern part of Turkey. It dates back to the 13th century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond. The Hagia Sophia church was built in Trapezunt during the reign of Manuel I between 1238 and 1263. After Mehmed II conquered the city in 1461 the church was converted into a mosque.

Uzungöl (English: Long lake) is lake situated to the south of the city of Trabzon in Turkey. This is close to where we stayed, and very close to where I met the Gypsies...next blog......