ORDU, THE PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA

Ordu is a province located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, standing out with its natural beauties, historical riches and unique culture. Ordu, which has hosted various civilizations throughout history, has many interesting points for tourists. 

    The history of Ordu dates back to ancient times. It was under the influence of different civilizations such as the Hittites, Cimmerians, Persians, Pontus Kingdom, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire. Serving as an important port city during the Ottoman period, Ordu has been an important center of trade and culture throughout its history. 

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1- Jason Cape and Jason Church:

    It is 35 km away from Ordu and 20 km away from Çarşamba. Although the front of Cape Jason is stony, ships can stop here. The name Jason comes from Jason, who landed here with the Argonauts. At the bottom of the cape there is an old monastery/church called "Panaya". Panaya Church is located on the peninsula within the borders of Çaytepe. 
This church was built in 1868 by Greeks and Georgians living in the region. Jason Burnu is actually a very old settlement. In the 3rd century AD, Christians lived in Giresun. After celebrating the birth of Jesus, he came here and participated in the Festival of Lights.     Mourning Church, 2009 
This peninsula is also famous for the Argonautica Legend, which tells the story of the Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece under the leadership of Jason. There is 
also  a place called Yalancı Yason (cadastre: Sülü Burnu ) just 300 meters west of the peninsula. The region continued to function as a maritime trade center in ancient times. There are fish ponds here and at Jason Cape, built by carving 4 thousand-year-old stones. Surface research shows clay deposits and ceramic manufacturing and trade in ancient times. 

2- Aziziye Mosque:    It is located in Ordu, Altınordu. It was built in wood during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz, and when it started to collapse over time, it was rebuilt with cut and rubble stone by Kadı Zade Hasan Efendi in 1890. Its pulpit is quite inclined and high. The mosque has three floors and the window and door edges are oval. 

3- Bolaman Castle and Haznedaroğlu Mansion:    It is located in Bolaman Town on the Ordu-Samsun highway. The distance between Ordu and Bolaman is 30 km. Fatsa – Bolaman is around 4km. It is a castle built in a chain manner, on the cape slightly protruding towards the sea in Bolaman town of Fatsa district. It consists of two parts, inner and outer, for surveillance and police station duty. The inner castle is located at the western end of the castle. It consists of very high walls, cut stones were used, there is a small chapel with a basilica plan inside, a wooden mansion was built on the inner castle in the 18th century. This house, known as Kademoğlu Mansion, was built on the inner castle with a double bay window. It constitutes an example of civil architecture in the region. 

4- Düz Mahalle Church:    The church located in Ordu province, Altınordu district, Düzmahalle, Sinema Street, 19th century. It was built by the Greeks after the second half. It has a rectangular plan and has barrel arches at the front. The walls are made of gray stones. After serving as a fire station for a while, it was restored and opened to service as the 75th Anniversary Republic Stage. 

5- Board Castle:
    It is within the borders of Bayadı Village in Altınordu district of Ordu province. 13 km from Altınordu. It is a 1st degree archaeological and natural protected area built on a sharp rock within the borders of Bayadı village, and is an ancient settlement. 250 - 300 stairs were unearthed. Terracotta roof tiles and masonry ceramic pieces found during the excavation were examined and dated back to B.C. II. It was determined that settlements were made in the 1st and 1st centuries. During the studies, a statue of Mother Goddess Cybele sitting on her throne, which is considered to be 2100 years old, was found. 

6- Ethnography Museum:    Paşaoğlu Mansion, rising at the corner of Taşocak Street and Erkoçak Street in the Selimiye District of Ordu city center, was built by Paşaoğlu Hüseyin Efendi in 1896. The stones of the mansion, which was built on an area of ​​625 square meters including its garden, were brought from Ünye and the wooden material was brought from Romania, and its construction was carried out by a master from Istanbul. Paşaoğlu Mansion, one of the most beautiful examples of our 19th century civil architecture, has three floors, including the ground floor. The ground floor is accessed through the doors in the east, and the first floor is accessed through the doors in the north and west. 

7- Taşbaşı Cultural Center:    It is within the Urban Protected Area of ​​Ordu Province, Altınordu district, Taşbaşı District. The church was built in an east-west direction, in a rectangular style. There is a large apse in the east and two smaller apses on the sides. The main space of the church is divided into three naves with three two-row columns. The samardam roof of the church is supported by arches supported by columns. It is a basilica-shaped building made entirely of cut stone (except the dome) that has survived to this day. It was built by Greek Orthodox Christians living in the region in 1853.

    Tourist Places: 

1- Boztepe:    Boztepe, one of the symbols of Ordu, is located at a high point in the city center. From here you can watch a magnificent Black Sea view and discover the beauties of the city. 

2-Çambaşı Plateau:    Çambaşı Plateau, famous for its forested areas and natural riches, is located close to the city. The plateau attracts the attention of nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts. 

3-Altınordu Houses:    Reflecting the historical texture of Ordu, Altınordu Houses attract attention with their architectural features from the Ottoman period. These houses are one of the important points that convey the cultural heritage of the city to visitors. 

4- Thursday Plateau:
    Located among the natural beauties of Ordu, Thursday Plateau is an ideal destination for those who want to live the plateau life. 

5- Küpkaya Canyon: It    is in Kardeşler Village of Ulubey district, 32 kilometers from Ordu province and 9 kilometers from Ulubey District. It is a suitable area for the development of canoeing. It has a natural beauty worth seeing. If the canyon is opened to canoeing, it will bring significant potential to the region in terms of tourism. 

6- Asarkaya City Forest:    Asarkaya City Forest is a recreation and picnic area afforested by the Forest Management Directorate on the Ünye-Fatsa road, 4 kilometers from Ünye District. It attracts attention with the many wild animal and plant species it contains. Ideal for bird watching and hiking. 

7- Karaoluk Waterfall:    It is within the borders of Karaoluk Village. Karaoluk (Çiseli) Waterfall, a natural wonder lake with its natural beauty, is one of the attraction points in terms of tourism. 

8- Ulugöl Nature Park:
    Ulugöl Nature Park offers a visual feast to its guests with its forest consisting of beech, hornbeam, alder, hazelnut and oak. In addition, the water lily, reed, reeds and duckweed found on Ulugöl and Çepekli Lake increase the attraction of this natural wonder area. 

9- Ohtamış Waterfall:    Located in the Ohtamış Village of Ulubey district, 20 km from Ulubey District and 38 km from Ordu, the waterfall is the largest waterfall in the Black Sea. It is poured from a height of 30 meters with a slope of 90 degrees. 

10- Hoynat Island:    It is one of the most important historical elements of Thursday District. It is right next to the Hoynat Tunnel within the borders of Ramazan Village. It is estimated that sailors used it as a warehouse and shelter in the past. There is water residue on it. It is a bird paradise where seagulls and cormorants live. It is the only nesting place of Crested Cormorants in Turkey.

    Ordu offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors with its historical traces, natural beauties and warm hospitality. For those who want to experience the mystical atmosphere of the Black Sea and discover the rich culture, Ordu is a treasure waiting to be discovered.