Trabzon is a vibrant Black Sea port city in northeastern Turkey, set between lush green mountains and the deep blue sea. Once the capital of the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond (1204–1461), the city retains extraordinary heritage—most famously the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon and Atatürk's mansion—while thriving today as a regional commercial hub. The surrounding highlands shelter alpine meadows, rushing rivers, and the iconic Sumela Monastery carved into a cliff face, making Trabzon a gateway for both history lovers and outdoor adventurers.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Trabzon.
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1
Founded as Greek colony 'Trapezous' by Milesian traders
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2
Conquered by Rome under Pompey; became important Pontic port
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3
Alexios I Komnenos founds the Empire of Trebizond after the Latin sack of Constantinople
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4
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon constructed with Komnenian frescoes
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5
Sultan Mehmed II conquers Trabzon; end of the Empire of Trebizond
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6
Gülbaharhatun Mosque built by Ottoman Sultan Selim I for his mother
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7
Russian forces occupy Trabzon during WWI; returned to Turkey 1918
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8
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visits Trabzon; stays at what is now Atatürk Köşkü
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9
Trabzonspor football club rises to national prominence; city becomes a significant Black Sea tourism hub
Historical sites
Places where Trabzon's past comes alive.
Historic
Sumela Monastery
Historic
Trabzon Citadel
Historic