A Journey to Amasra

Amasra is a small Black Sea port town in the Bartın province with a rich history, unknown pristine beaches, and delicious seafood. Established in the 30th century B.C., the district derived its name from Amastris, the niece of the last Persian king, Darius III. Bartın, a province of Amasra district, once served as a center for the Roman and Byzantine civilizations and now stands as a modern testament of its rich history and timeless natural beauty.

Amasra’s history dates back to 5,000 years. The area still hosts many sites and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, with excavations uncovering remnants of ancient city structures. Now home to around 15,000 people, unearthed remnants show that this was once a massive Roman settlement with a population of 40,000 to 50,000 people.

Constructed by the Romans and restored in the Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottomans eras, Amasra Castle overlooks Boztepe and Zindan harbors. The original walls of the castle survived for centuries, as well as the Byzantine church which was built in the 9th century and converted into a mosque in 1460, Dereağız Tunnel that allows visitors to walk from the castle to a freshwater pool.

One of the best places to take a dip in Amasra is Küçük Liman, a sacred cove located close to the Amasra Castle, where green and blue come together in perfect harmony. There are also Bozköy and Çakraz, where you can enjoy sandy beaches surrounded by evergreen mountains.

There is also a cultural park named after late rockstar Barış Akarsu. Born in Amasra, Akarsu had risen to fame with his voice and acting before dying in a traffic accident aged 28. There is a statue of Akarsu as well as cafes and recreational areas.