Düzce is a verdant province in northwestern Turkey's western Black Sea region, famed for its hazelnut orchards, rushing rivers, alpine forests, and the vast Efteni Lake wetland. Sandwiched between Istanbul and Ankara along the Trans-European Motorway (D-100), it offers whitewater rafting on the Melen River, mountain trekking toward Bolu's Yedigöller plateaus, and the culinary heritage of a region recognized as one of Turkey's great gastronomic belts.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Düzce.
-
1
Foundation of Prusias ad Hypium (modern Konuralp) by the Bithynian kingdom
-
2
Region absorbed into the Roman Province of Bithynia; city flourishes as a Roman urban centre
-
3
Early Christian communities established; Byzantine period begins
-
4
Seljuk incursions; region contested between Byzantine and Seljuk powers
-
5
Ottoman conquest of the Bithynian region under Orhan I
-
6
Large-scale Circassian and other Caucasian refugee settlement following Russo-Circassian Wars (1860s–1880s)
-
7
Turkish Republic established; Düzce becomes a district of Bolu Province
-
8
Catastrophic 7.2-magnitude earthquake destroys 80% of structures; 845 killed, thousands injured
-
9
Comprehensive rebuilding programme; new urban plan with earthquake-resistant construction
-
10
Düzce elevated to provincial status, separate from Bolu
Historical sites
Places where Düzce's past comes alive.
Historic
Konuralp Archaeological Site (Prusias ad Hypium)
Where: 6 km northeast of Düzce
Admission: Outdoor ruins: free; Museum: 50 TRY (~$1.50)
Historic
Roman Theatre at Konuralp
Where: 6 km northeast of Düzce
Admission: Free
Historic
Düzce Museum
Where: City centre
Admission: 30 TRY (~$0.90)
Historic
1999 Earthquake Memorial Park
Where: City centre
Admission: Free