Amasya

Amasya stands in the mountains above the Black Sea coast, in a narrow valley along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River. Although it is near the Black Sea, this area is high above the coast and has an inland climate, well-suited to growing apples, for which the province of Amasya is famed. It has a past of 7,500 years during which many civilizations left remains. In antiquity, Amaseia was a fortified city high on the cliffs above the river. It has a long history as provincial capital, a wealthy city producing kings and princes, artists, scientists, poets and thinkers, from the kings of Pontus, through Strabo the geographer, to many generations of the Ottoman imperial dynasty. With its Ottoman-period wooden houses and the tombs of the Pontus kings carved into the cliffs overhead, Amasya is attractive to visitors.

If you happen to visit the city you can also visit Amasya Archaeological Museum (closed on mondays). The museum has a large and interesting collection of artefacts from 13 periods, including the mummies of the rulers of Amasya. Then you will continue to visit the Sultan Bayezid Kulliye Complex constructed in 1485 - 86. This centre is composed of a mosque, a theology school, a charitable establishment, a monument and a şadırvan (water tank with a fountain).