_{Places to Visit in Beşikdüzü}

If you're planning a vacation to the beautiful district of Beşikdüzü in Trabzon, which has been home to one of the oldest ports since the dawn of history, it's essential to have detailed information about the places to visit in Beşikdüzü. Conducting some research beforehand can help you make the most of your trip, ensuring a productive and fulfilling holiday. Many visitors find themselves captivated by the lush forests and clean air of this district, making them want to return.

In addition to being historically referred to as a natural harbor, you can also encounter historical structures in various parts of the district. In this article, we have listed all the historical landmarks and natural beauties that can be visited in Beşikdüzü, along with answering questions like where the district is located and how to get there.

For those planning a trip to Beşikdüzü, which is often called the dream of the Black Sea, you can continue reading our content to add unique places to your travel itinerary.

Note: Readers who live in Beşikdüzü or have visited the district before can leave comments in the section below. This way, you can shed light on first-time visitors and share your happy memories.

Where Is Beşikdüzü District Located?

Beşikdüzü, which has seen continuous settlement since the beginning of the Common Era, is a district located in the province of Trabzon. If you have a travel plan to this district, you've made an excellent choice because it covers a large area and hosts many places to visit in Trabzon. Beşikdüzü is centrally located in the region, bordered by Şalpazarı and Tonya to the south, Vakfıkebir to the east, and Eynesil, Giresun to the west.

Thanks to the chirping of birds, its pristine nature, and friendly locals, you will find that fairy-tale-like vacation you've been looking for in this district.

How to Get to Beşikdüzü District?

There are two options for reaching Beşikdüzü District: by road and by air.

If you enjoy exploring new places by car and prefer a road trip for your vacation, traveling by road is the best option for you. You can easily check the distances from the district to some important locations in the table below.

Trabzon: 95.9 km
Istanbul: 1014 km
Ankara: 681 km
Izmir: 1367 km

For those who prefer comfort and love air travel, traveling by air is the best choice. You can go from your city's airport to Trabzon Airport and then reach Beşikdüzü District by private car or public transportation.

Those who want to reach the district by public transportation can use the buses and routes listed below:

Bus: 277A (Oğuz-Resullü)
Route Name: 276 (KTÜ)
Route Name: 525 (Şalpazarı)

The first bus departs at 06:00 in the morning, and the last bus leaves at 22:00 in the evening.

Places to Visit in Beşikdüzü, Trabzon

Bird Castle (Kuş Kalesi) - Castle Rock (Kale Kayası)
Located between the villages of Akçiriş and Çıtlaklı in the district center, it sits on a promontory extending towards the valley. It is approximately 15 km away from the city center of Trabzon.

It is said that this promontory served as a hunting ground, hence the name "Bird Castle." However, it is also known as "Castle Rock." The height of the promontory is approximately 30 meters, and a wall ruin consisting of large stones piled on top of each other is preserved at the point where the promontory meets the slope. The edge of the promontory is steep.

This small castle was built to control the old road leading to the lower Ağasar Valley and the upper ridge of Şalpazarı region. The upper road will take you to the mountains near Ağasar Castle after visiting this castle.

You can also explore the historical sites in Şalpazarı after visiting the castle.

Shahmelik Castle (Kalegüney Castle)
Located between the villages of Kalegüney and Ardıçak in the district center, it is reached via the Kalegüney village. That's why this castle is also called Kalegüney Castle.

The ruined castle on the ridge is called "Shahmelik Castle" because of the name of the northern village. The construction date of the castle is unknown, but it is believed to have been built between the late Roman and early Byzantine periods. Stairs carved into the rock can be climbed from the north or south. At the top, there are hollows and dowel holes on the rock, marking different-sized rooms. These traces indicate that the castle served as a watchtower controlling the region and the roads.

Kapılıkaya
Carved into the corner of a rock mass, it is known as Kapılıkaya. The door of the church is rectangular in plan and has a high threshold. A curved appearance appears above the door. The walls are smoothed, and patterns on the walls testify to the presence of frescoes on the rock face in the past. Traces can be seen that there were frescoes here in the past. Due to the high threshold of the stone church, it is thought to have served as a test.
Bayırköy Rock Churches (Kapılıkaya)
There are two rock churches in Bayırköy, located on the eastern slopes of Beşikdağ Hill. They date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

During the reign of Sultan Mehmed II (1451-1481), the region was reorganized under Ottoman rule, and it was resettled by Christians. One of the rock churches is located near the center of Bayırköy. There are natural caves on the sides and upper parts of the road.

Çeşmeönü Castle Ruins
Located at the mouth of the Ağasar River, at the western edge of the city center, at the beginning of the port pier, and at the tip of a promontory extending towards the sea, there is an abandoned castle.

However, most of the ruins of this castle have been destroyed. There are remnants of two large square towers on the landward side. It is said that there was a castle gate here. Çeşmeönü Castle is mentioned in records dating back to 1486. Later, this name was changed to Yavabolu.

Therefore, there is no information available about the history of Çeşmeönü Castle. However, old maps show anchoring points on this coast. The castle and the natural harbor in front of it indicate that it was once significant for sea traffic in the Black Sea.

Conclusion

If your journey takes you to this historical gem of the Black Sea, you can visit Şehit Üsteğmen Erdal Kurtoğlu Park, one of the city's important parks, and enjoy a cup of tea before exploring the places to visit in Beşikdüzü. Make sure to visit our page after your vacation as well. You can share your happiness by recounting your memories in the comments section below. Have an enjoyable trip!