Sinop

The city walls surround the city on three sides – from the sea, that is, from the north and south, and from the land side, next to the bus station to the south-west. In total, they extend for more than 3 km and most of them date from the time of Mithridates VI Eupator, that is, from the 1st century. p.n.e. Sometimes their thickness reaches 5 m, and the height is almost 30 m. The Kumkapi Tower stands by the bus station and looks impressive. Going down towards the sea, We come across walls going north-east. Other towers stand at the marina and there are also large walls preserved. The most interesting fragments can be found at the park with the statue of Ataturk. We can climb the walls by stairs; today there is a cafe in the south tower. There is a nice view of the city and the bay from here.

At Sakarya Cad., roughly halfway between Hukumet Meydani and the otogar, stoi Alaettin Mosque, the oldest mosque in the city. Built by the Seljuqs in 1214 r., it was rebuilt many times later. In front of the mosque built on the Ulu plan, covered with five domes, there is a large courtyard, and the minaret is rising next to one of the three portals. There are still sadirvans in the courtyard (ablution fountain) and turbe of the Isfendiyaroglu family, once opposed to Ottoman rule over this part of the Black Sea coast. The exit next to the minaret leads to the street, on the other side is Suleyman Pervane Medresesi (Sulejman Pervana Madrasa) characterized by an artistically carved portal. Created in 1264 r. the theological school was founded by the vizier Muettin Suleiman Pervane. There is a fountain in the center of the courtyard, and there is a total of all around 16 rooms, former target for students. Currently, there is a pretty good eatery here.

Balatlar Church (Palace Church) we will encounter approx. 250 m northeast of the main square (on the right side of the street you can see the walls in the background). A hidden path leads there (entrance from the eastern side), you have to wade through the bushes. It was established in 660 r. the building is in ruins today. A few more frescoes have been preserved inside. Perhaps the temple was built on the site of the former Mithridates VI palace (this is evidenced by the nearby walls), which, however, covered a much larger area (ok. 10 thousand. m2). Even deeper into the headland, next to the cemetery, mamy Algerian Ali Pasa Mosque, Seyit Bilal Turbesi, that is, Bilal's tomb – descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The tomb comes from the end of the 13th century., and the mosque was built up only in the nineteenth century. Next to the temple, there is also the tomb of a prominent figure in Sinop's history – Ture Hatun and her relatives.

On the outskirts of the city is the 19th century Pasa Tabyalari (Pasha's Bastion). It was placed in 1856 r. at the southern end of the headland for defense against the Russians. Its area is 3000 m2, and the enemy fleet was shelled 11 department. You can walk there (ok. 2 km) or take a dolmus heading to Karakum beach. If we choose the first variant, we will go out of the city along the Gazi Cad, which is lined with palm trees. departing to the east of the Melia Hotel & Kasim.

Sinop is surrounded by the sea, therefore there are many beaches, but as it happens, some are better, others worse. The closest to the center is Yuvam Belediye Plaji, to which we will get, going west from the marina, near the walls. Another beach nearby is Kumkapi Plaji, located next to the bus station. From the station we go towards the tower, we go down the stairs, we cross the street and we are already on the beach. A bath next to the ancient walls is an unusual experience. The other beaches in Sinopa derive their names from the color of sand. The best according to the locals is Karakum Plaji (Black Sands), on the south side of the headland, ok. 2,5 km east of the city, behind Pasha's Bastion. We can get there by dolmus or on foot. Akkum Plaji stretches at the northwestern end of the headland (White Sands). Yet another beach, Sarikum (Yellow Sands), it is already far out of town, at the northernmost point of Turkey.