Photo: Elelicht (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source 9 places to visit in the Tirebolu district of Giresun: Tirebolu Castle, Tirebolu Castle (Tripolis) and Tirebolu Coast. Plan your trip to Tirebolu with local food, practical tips and transport information.
The name Tirebolu comes from Tripolis, Greek for “Three Cities”. Tirebolu is first recorded in the 1st century AD, in Gaius Plinius Secundus’s Naturalis Historia. It is said to have been founded by the Milesians in the 7th century BC. After the Empire of Trebizond was founded in 1204, Tirebolu remained within its borders. After Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered Trabzon in 1461, Tirebolu passed to Ottoman rule. During the War of Independence, Giresunlu Topal Osman Ağa and Tirebolulu Hüseyin Avni Alparslan Bey played a major role in the struggle. The people of Tirebolu lost 248 martyrs in the War of Independence.
Tirebolu lies on the Black Sea coast, east of Giresun, and is 45 km from Giresun city centre. The district covers 259 km², and the average elevation of the district centre above sea level is 18 metres.
Culturally, the district shares similarities with other Çepni communities in the region and with Trabzon. Kemençe and horon are very much part of weddings and engagements. The most important source of livelihood is hazelnuts, and Tirebolu is known to grow some of the finest hazelnuts.
The name Tirebolu comes from Tri+Polis, Greek for “three cities”. In late 1920, Tirebolu was made a sub-prefecture and attached to Giresun. Tirebolu is a typical Eastern Black Sea settlement, which, because of its mountainous terrain and limited farmland, has sent people away to migrate. Tirebolu Castle underwent extensive restoration and repair in earlier years. According to its inscription, Selimağa Fountain was built on 10 June 1842 by Kethüdazade Emin Ağa.
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Photo: Elelicht (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source A castle dating from the ancient city of Tripolis, on a rock overlooking the sea. Extended in the Byzantine period, it is one of the best-preserved castles on the Black Sea coast and offers magnificent sea views.
View on mapWooden and stone houses from the Ottoman and Greek periods in the district centre, with narrow streets and sea-view locations, reflect the Black Sea architectural tradition.
View on mapA small castle on a peninsula reaching into the sea, north of the district.
View on mapA castle on a high rock overlooking the coast, in Örenkaya village, about 8 km from Tirebolu district.
View on mapA fountain in Çarşı Neighbourhood, registered by decision no. 4068 dated 30.03.2001.
View on mapA castle known in Greek as Tripolis, located on the rocky ground reaching into the sea at the centre of Tirebolu. It dates from antiquity.
View on map Photo: Elelicht (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source With its small coves and rocky shores, the Tirebolu coast is a suitable place for swimming and fishing in the summer months.
View on mapThe district's famous plateaus, where various festivals are held in June and July.
View on mapWhile you are in Tirebolu, you can also see the highlights of Giresun province. These places are in other districts; Tirebolu is about 45 km from the provincial centre.
Kuymak, made by cooking cornmeal, butter and fresh cheese in a copper pan, is an essential at Tirebolu's breakfast tables.
Prepared by steaming fresh anchovies with onion, tomato and pepper. A reflection of Tirebolu's fishing tradition, this dish is a favourite in the winter months.
Laz böreği, baked with custard between thin layers of yufka and sweetened with syrup, is one of the distinctive desserts of the Black Sea.
A dish made from stinging nettle, mentioned among the flavours of the district's cuisine on the "Tirebolu Cuisine" page of the Tirebolu District Governorship.
Featured on the "Tirebolu Cuisine" page of the Tirebolu District Governorship; a dish prepared from salted cherries.
Featured on the "Tirebolu Cuisine" page of the Tirebolu District Governorship; a dish prepared with taflan, onion and oil.
Referred to as the "famous anchovy pie" on the "Tirebolu Cuisine" page of the Tirebolu District Governorship; a local speciality.
The ancient name of Tirebolu is Tripolis ("Three Cities"), and it was an important port city from the Pontic Kingdom period onward. The castle and the remains around it bear the traces of this rich history.
Tirebolu is known for a fishing tradition going back centuries. Fishing boats, net-making and seafaring culture shape the district's way of life.
Tirebolu's economy is based on hazelnut farming, fishing and small-scale trade. Hazelnut processing facilities and the fish market are the district's main economic activities.
Tirebolu is 45 km from Giresun city centre. It lies on the Black Sea coastal road (E70). Ordu-Giresun Airport is about 70 km away and Trabzon Airport is about 130 km away.
The 9 highlights of Tirebolu are Tirebolu Castle, Tirebolu Castle (Tripolis), Tirebolu Coast, Historic Houses of Tirebolu, Tirebolu Castle (Saint-Jean), Bedrama Castle, Selimağa Fountain, the Kazıkbeli, Güvende, Karaovacık, Yaşmaklı and Ağaçbaşı plateaus, and the Tirebolu beaches.
Kuymak, Hamsi Buğulama, Laz Böreği and Isırgan Yemeği are the standout dishes at Tirebolu's tables.
Tirebolu is known for its Tirebolu Hazelnuts and its Antique Tripolis Heritage. Tirebolu is one of Giresun's major hazelnut-producing centres, and its quality hazelnuts give it a strong voice in the hazelnut trade.
Tirebolu is 45 km from Giresun city centre. It lies on the Black Sea coastal road (E70). Ordu-Giresun Airport is about 70 km away and Trabzon Airport is about 130 km away.
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months (June-September).