Istanbul: The Black Sea provinces of Trkiye are emphasizing their historical significance as key players in the ancient Silk Road, with experts suggesting that a cultural journey could enhance awareness of the region’s rich heritage and historical links with China. The region is home to several ancient overland routes that pass through the city of Gumushane and lead to Trabzon, a strategic port city where travelers and goods from China historically transitioned from land to sea.
According to Namibia Press Agency, these routes are lined with castles, caravanserais, and watchtowers, offering a wealth of archaeological treasures from the Silk Road era. Experts, through thorough research, now see the potential for a cultural route that could bring this heritage to life for tourists. Coskun Eris, a faculty member at Karadeniz Teknik University and president of the Trabzon Natural and Historical Heritage Protection Association, noted that the route was historically used by camel caravans until around 100 years ago
. Despite losing some importance with the advent of modern transportation, it has retained its strategic significance.
After the Silk Road reached Anatolia, it branched into two routes to Europe: a northern sea route and a southern Mediterranean route. Trabzon, due to its strategic Black Sea port, served as the shortest maritime route to the Black Sea for those traveling from China, establishing it as a vital hub for merchants and travelers. Eris emphasized that today, this route still serves as a cultural link between China and Trkiye, with the potential to be revived as a Silk Road-themed cultural route.
Osman Emir, a historian at Karadeniz Technical University, added that the region, mainly encompassing Gumushane and Trabzon provinces, hosts a diverse array of archaeological assets along its ancient land routes leading to Trabzon Port. These routes are also identified as Roman military roads in various Roman period sources. Emir highlighted the strategic importance of the ancient city of Satala and Trabz
on Port, both of which served as critical defense points for the Roman Empire.
Satala was a significant military outpost in the eastern Roman Empire, with the empire supplying soldiers and provisions through Trabzon Port. Emir noted that excavation work in Satala continues to uncover its historical depth. Tamer Erdogan, director of culture and tourism for Trabzon Province, reported that Trabzon attracted 1.2 million foreign tourists in the first ten months of this year. He believes that the historic Silk Road routes, particularly those near Trabzon Port, could significantly enhance cultural exchange and tourism once the cultural route is established.
Erdogan described Trabzon as a harmonious city for tourists, where visitors can enjoy the climate, nature, and culture, creating lasting memories and reconnecting with shared historical values.