Once you finally reach Amasra along the bumpy roads of the Western Black Sea, you will be amazed at the beauty of this town. The beach, the citadel and the sunset are enough to put anyone in the mood for a holiday-and that’s before you sit down to a fish supper!
Amasra was named after the Persian Princess Amastris and is one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia. In the course of history, the town passed through Pontic, Roman and Genoese hands. Then Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror seized it in 1460. The largest church was converted into a mosque, and Amasra became one of the most beautiful Ottoman towns.
Not much remains of old Amasra, although the spectacular Kuşkaya (Bird Rock) monument at the entrance of the town dates back to the 1st century BC. You can also visit the remains of the Byzantine citadel astride a promontory with fine views out to sea.
The Amasra Museum contains exhibits from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times. The building served as a Marine Academy during the Ottoman period.
The two off-shore islands, Boztepe (Gray Hill) and Tavşan Adası (Rabbit Island) are accessible by boat. Alternatively, you can get to Boztepe by crossing the Kemere Bridge, which was built in Roman times. It’s a good road with a wonderful view.
A seaside film set
Amasra used to be througt of primarily as a summer resort for people from Ankara, but the locals have grown accustomed to an increasing number of visitors ever since their town was used as the set for a Turkish movie. In the summer, and especially on weekends, the hotels are frequently full.
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