BARTIN

Area: 2.140 km²

Population: 205.834 (1990)

Traffic Code: 74

Districts: Bartın (center), Amasra, Kurucaşile, Ulus.

How To Get

The majority of transportation to Bartın Province is via highway.

Highway: The bus station of Bartın Province is located at the city center and it is possible to find busses to every province of the country.

Railway: The nearest railway station to Bartın is located at 38 kilometer distance, in Saltukova (Zonguldak).

Air Transportation: The nearest airport to Bartın is located at 38 kilometer distance, in Saltukova (Zonguldak).

Where to Visit

ANCIENT CITIES

There are numerous ancient city ruins inside the borders of historic Paphlagonia region. Ancient cities of Sesamos (Amasra), Kromna (Kurucaşile) and Erythinoi (Çakraz) are located inside the borders of Bartın.

The castle, two churches, bedesten, Kuşkayası Road Monument (Unique in the world) and inziva (seclusion) cave inside the city center are among the visual parts of the ancient city. The sections of the ancient city like forum, council palace, road of honor, theatre, acropolis, necropolis are below ground.

BEACHES

İnkumu, Amasra, Çakraz, Kızılkum, Mogada, Güzelcehisar and Bozköy beaches are the important beaches of not only the province but also West Black Sea Region.

BARTIN HOUSES

The wooden Bartın Houses display the architectural characteristics of the art movements brought forth to Turkey by the Tanzimat Fermanı (Reforms Decree).

MARINAS

The marinas of Amasra and Kurucaşile are suitable to yachts for spending the night. Kurucaşile, is known as being the place where the mountains touch the sea and the place where the first wooden boat constructed in the world had flayed. This district persists its fame with the construction of the most beautiful wooden schooners in Turkey.

NATIONAL PARKS

Kastamonu - Küre Mountain National Park

Location: The park lies between Kastamonu and Bartin, in the western Black Sea region.

Transportation: The nearest large town is Zonguldak, to the west, and the park is off the coastal road running west towards Bartin.

Highlights: This park has the variety of flora and fauna but is also one of the places least affected by industrialisation. Around the area are Azdavay, Pinarbasi, Ulus, Bartin, Kurucasile, Amasra and Cide districts. The main animal species found here deer, roe deer, bears, wolves, foxes, jackals, rabbits, wild boar, singing birds, birds of prey and reptiles. Recommended places to visit are Ilica Waterfalls, Valla Canyon, Aydos Canyon, and Ilgarini Cave.

Facilities: There is no administrative building in the park, and no facilities available for visitors.

CAVES

The Gürcüoluk cave in Çakraz and the Sipahiler cave in Kayadibi exhibits wonderful spectacles with the formations of stalactites, stalagmites, travertine and bulb.

Gürcüoluk Cave

Location: Bartın, Amasra District

The cave is located at the Ovacık quarter of Karakaçak village of Amasra district 32 km. away from Bartın. Following the road turning to south at Çakraz-Bozköy road, a walk of 3 - 4 km inside the forest and on a track is necessary after passing the Konuklar quarter of Karakaçak village.

Properties: Gürcüoluk Cave is composed of approximately 15 - 20 chambers surrounding an inclined middle chamber having dimensions of 2 - 3 meters height, 3 - 4 meters width ve4 - 5 meters length after a main entrance in the shape of a triangle. The first chamber is approximately at the size of 6 x 7 meters and is a colorful world of stalagmite and stalactite. The various sized chambers at east, north and northeast are also adorned with stalagmite and stalactites. Passing to another chamber at the upper level from these chambers is possible, and from another chamber reaching to the ground level via a passage in which only a human can fit is also possible.

The temperature inside the cave is relatively cold and as the amount of carbon dioxide is high, respiratory problems could be encountered. This property of the cave makes it one of the possible caves for curing asthma.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Trekking The plateaus of Bartın have an average attitude of 1000 meters. These plateaus are covered with forests exhibiting all aspects of green and there is temporary dwelling areas spread among the forest like spots. This natural beauty with rich flora and fauna and excellent panoramas attracts visitors. City of Bartın provides rich alternatives to the trekkers looking for new and beautiful courses.

Hunting Bartın hosts rich wildlife with various hunting animals. There are approximately 40 mammal species and 129 bird species encountered inside the Bartın - Kastamonu Küre Mountain National Park. During the hunting season, territorial hunting is allowed in Bartın at localities of Uluyayla, Kurucaşile rural section, Kayabaşı, Kayadibi, Büyükdüz, Sarıçicek, Kokurdan and Turanlar. Hunting animals like duck, goose, quail, toy bird, üveyik (stock dove), çulluk (woodcock), deer, rabbit and wild goat are found in the region seasonally.

Line Fishing There are various fish species among the shores of Bartın. Therefore, fishing with the method of line fishing of whiting (mezgit), horse mackerel (istavrit), medium sized bluefish (çinekop), bluefish (lüfer), grey mullet (kefal) , turbot (kalkan), tunny (palamut), garfish (zargana) and bream (karagöz) is possible.

Underwater Diving Centers The Bartın vicinity of the Black Sea is at crystal clearness and at the color turquoise and inhabits sunken riches.

Geography

Temperate naval climate (Black Sea) is dominant in Bartın. Summer seasons are hot while winter seasons are chilly.

History

Until BC 1200 year, Gasgas tribe inhabited in the environ of Bartın. In the following years, the region had entered under the dominance of Hittites, Frigs, Kringens, Kokons , Enets, Kimmers, Lydians, Persians and Macedonians.

The historic progress of Bartın continues with the dominance of Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire and later with the dominance of Turkish states of Seljuks and Candaroğulları between 11th - 13th centuries. Bartın was conquered by Yıldırım Bayazıt in 1392 and had become a state of Ottoman lands.

Where to Eat

The multi varied and delicious Bartın meals are majorly composed of meals with meat, vegetable, milk, pastry and meals cooked with olive oil. These meals are accompanied with pilaf, soup and desert varieties.

What to Buy

The hand weaved products, especially the string pleated hand - painted kerchiefs and wooden pressed inscriptions are famous among the country. The district of Amasra had advanced in the field of wooden and woven souvenirs. Kurucaşile is known as the location where the most beautiful schooners are constructed.

Don't Leave Without

-Eating fish and salad in Amasra,

-Swimming at Bozköy and Çakraz beaches,

-Participating to trekking activities,

-Visiting and authentic Bartın house,

-Participating the Bartın Strawberry Festival Culture and Tourism Activities.

Sites

Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Bartın

Sites

Archaeological Sites: 8

Urban Sites: 1

Natural Sites: 9

Historical Sites: -

Other Sites

Archaeological and Natural Sites: 4

Total: 22

Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural

Heritages: 374

TOTAL: 396

Contact Information

Governorship : (+90-378) 227 19 18 - 227 39 82

Municipality : (+90-378) 227 00 16 - 227 02 29 - 22774 75

Hospital : (+90-378) 227 72 79

Police : (+90-378) 227 72 79

Gendarme : (+90-378) 238 51 38

Provincial Directorate : (+90-378) 227 61 16 - 227 61 17

Tourism Information Office : (+90-378) 221 61 17 - 221 61 16

Fire Department : (+90-378) 227 20 72

Provincial Cultural Directorate Tel: (378) 227 66 39 Fax: (378) 224 66 39

Amasra Museum Address: Kum Mah. Dereoğlu Sok. No:4 Amasra - Bartın

Tel: (378) 315 10 06

Links

Bartın Valiliği http://www.bartin.gov.tr/

Bartın İl Telekom Müdürlüğü http://www.ttbartin.telekom.gov.tr/