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11 places to visit in the central district of Artvin: Artvin Castle, Çoruh River Valley and Camili Biosphere Reserve. Plan your trip with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The city centre is built on a steep slope facing the Çoruh, at an elevation of about 500 metres. Between the 30 km coastline and the 3,937-metre Kaçkar Mountain, very different climates and vegetation can be seen within a short distance.

History

In the Middle Ages these lands were the Tao-Klarjeti region, the homeland of the Georgian Bagrationi dynasty. Artvin Castle was commissioned in 937 by the Georgian king Ashot the Great. The region came under Ottoman rule in the mid-16th century, and after a period under Russian administration from 1878 to 1921, it joined Türkiye under the Treaty of Moscow.

Culture and Tourism

Today Artvin is known for Camili, Türkiye’s first UNESCO biosphere reserve, and for the Kafkasör bull wrestling held every June.

History and Culture

Artvin Culture House was commissioned in 1799 by Bicanoğlu Yahya Ağa. After the Ottomans took Artvin in the 16th century, the region began to become Islamised. The houses of Porta Monastery reflect the medieval settlement layout.

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Places to Visit in Artvin Central District

  • 2 Historic
  • 3 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 2 Attraction
  • 1 Cultural

Historic Sites 2

Artvin Castle - Merkez Photo: Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Historic

Artvin Castle

A castle commissioned in 937 by the Georgian king Ashot the Great.

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Historic

Okumuşlar Village Protected Site

A protected site in Okumuşlar village, attached to Artvin city centre, formerly known as Boselt.

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Religious Buildings 3

Religious

Porta (Pırnallı) Monastery

A monastery in the Bağlık hamlet of Pırnallı village, which is attached to Artvin city centre.

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Religious

Dolişane Church

A church in Hamamlı village, attached to Merkez district.

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Religious

Çayağzı (Salih Bey) Mosque

A mosque in Çayağzı (Korzul) Mahalle, attached to Artvin city centre.

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Natural Wonders 3

Nature

Çoruh River Valley

The deep valley through which the Çoruh River flows.

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Nature

Camili Biosphere Reserve

Türkiye's first UNESCO biosphere reserve.

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Nature

Berta Plateaus

Communal plateaus used by Ortaköy (Berta) Bucak, attached to Merkez district.

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Attractions 2

Attraction

Kafkasör Plateau Tourism Centre

A plateau declared a tourism centre, 8 km from Artvin city centre.

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Attraction

Mersivan Ski Centre

A ski centre with an 800-metre piste, 16 km from Artvin city centre.

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Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Artvin Culture House

A culture house 3 km from Artvin city centre.

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What to Eat in Artvin Central District

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  • Artvin Kuymağı

    Kuymak, prepared by continuously stirring cornmeal and butter over a fire, is Artvin's best-known dish. It is served with fresh civil cheese added, in a stretchy consistency.

  • Laz Böreği

    Laz böreği, baked with muhallebi poured between thin layers of yufka, is a sweet börek. It is one of the distinctive flavours of Artvin and Eastern Black Sea cuisine.

  • Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves)

    The emblematic vegetable of the Black Sea, collard greens, is prepared by wrapping a rice filling in its leaves. In Artvin, the sarma is an indispensable winter dish, served with butter and cornmeal.

  • Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)

    Traditional bread made from cornmeal, the basic food of Artvin tables. Cornbread baked in an oven or on a griddle is eaten especially with collard greens and cheese.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Artvin Central District

  • Kafkasör Culture and Arts Festival

    Held every June, the Kafkasör Festival is Artvin's most important cultural event. It welcomes thousands of visitors with bull wrestling, folk dances and music shows.

  • Georgian Architectural Heritage

    Artvin was once part of the Georgian Tao-Klarjeti region. Churches, castles and monasteries from that period are evidence of the region's multi-layered cultural heritage.

  • Bull Wrestling Tradition

    The centuries-old tradition of bull wrestling in Artvin is the most colourful part of the festivals held on the Kafkasör plateau. This tradition has been nominated for UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

Local Products

  • Artvin Balı (Artvin honey) — Honey obtained from Artvin's rich forest cover and high plateaus is known for its variety. Chestnut honey, pine honey and flower honey are the most valued agricultural products of the region.
  • Tea — Tea is grown in the coastal parts of Artvin. Tea grown especially in the districts of Arhavi and Hopa is an important agricultural product of Eastern Black Sea.
  • Hazelnut — Hazelnuts are grown in the coastal parts of Artvin. Hazelnuts produced in the area are among the quality varieties of Black Sea hazelnuts.

Economy

The economy of Artvin Merkez district consists of forestry, livestock farming, energy production and tourism. The dams on the Çoruh River produce significant hydroelectric power. Hatila Valley National Park and rafting on the Çoruh River contribute to tourism income. Artvin Çoruh University contributes to the educational and economic life of the city.

How to Get to Artvin Central District

Artvin is reached by road, 255 km from Trabzon and 215 km from Erzurum. The nearest airport is Trabzon Airport (255 km). It is also possible to travel from Rize-Artvin Airport (165 km). Intercity bus services connect it with the major cities.

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Artvin Central District: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Artvin Merkez?

The highlights of Artvin Merkez are 11 sites: Artvin Castle, Çoruh River Valley, Camili Biosphere Reserve, Kafkasör Plateau Tourism Centre, Porta (Pırnallı) Monastery, Dolişane Church, Berta Plateaus, Okumuşlar Village Protected Site, Mersivan Ski Centre, Çayağzı (Salih Bey) Mosque and Artvin Culture House.

What should I eat in Artvin Merkez?

Artvin Kuymağı, Laz Böreği, Karalahana Sarması and Mısır Ekmeği are the standout flavours on Artvin Merkez tables.

What is Artvin Merkez famous for?

Artvin Merkez is known for Artvin honey and the Kafkasör Culture and Arts Festival. Honey obtained from Artvin's rich forest cover and high plateaus is known for its variety. Chestnut honey, pine honey and flower honey are the most valued agricultural products of the region.

How do I get to Artvin Merkez?

Artvin is reached by road, 255 km from Trabzon and 215 km from Erzurum. The nearest airport is Trabzon Airport (255 km). It is also possible to travel from Rize-Artvin Airport (165 km). Intercity bus services connect it with the major cities.

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