Filyos Ancient City
A settlement established in ancient times. It is located in the town of Filyos.
View on map5 places to visit in the Çaycuma district of Zonguldak: Filyos Ancient City, Filyos Shore and Çaycuma Forests. Plan your trip to Çaycuma with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Introduction
Çaycuma is a district of Zonguldak Province, with an area of 492 km² and a population of 91,796. The district was founded in 1944.
History
In the 19th century it was attached to the Çarşamba (Devrek) subdistrict of Kastamonu Province. Yearbooks and written sources show that it was transferred to Bartın in 1873, and in 1902 it was attached to Zonguldak as the Çarşamba Subdistrict. It was not an important settlement in Ottoman times, but in the Republic it is set to become one of Türkiye’s key economic regions, thanks to natural gas deposits and the Filyos port project. Its name is said to have come from the phrase ‘Çaya cumaya gidiyorum’ (I am going to Çay on Friday). In 1944 it was raised from a subdistrict attached to Devrek to a district.
Geography
It lies to the east of Zonguldak city centre. The Black Sea lies to the north, Bartın to the east and Devrek to the south. It sits on the Filyos River and the valley it has formed. The terrain is mountainous and rugged, and its highest peak is Balat Mountain.
Economy and Industry
The district’s main economic activity is agriculture. The fertile plains along the Filyos River are important for crop production, where maize, vegetables and fruit are grown. Livestock farming, particularly water buffalo rearing, is one of the agricultural activities in the district. Fishing has developed at Hisarönü on the Black Sea coast. The most important industrial establishment is the SEKA Çaycuma Paper Factory, opened in 1970. Natural gas deposits discovered in the Black Sea and important quartz crystal deposits in Türkiye are also found in this district.
Education and Transport
The district hosts the Çaycuma Campus of Bülent Ecevit University. Flights to Istanbul Airport operate three days a week.
History and Culture
Filyos city is believed to have been founded by Milesian colonists in the 7th century BC. Çaycuma was raised to district status in 1944, when it was a subdistrict attached to Devrek. According to the source, Romans, Byzantines and Genoese held power in Filyos at different periods.
Highlights
Çaycuma was a subdistrict of Devrek until it became a district in 1944. Of the 228 km of the Filyos River, about 35 km passes within Çaycuma’s borders. The Çaycuma Paper and Pulp Factory opened in 1970 and is the country’s third-largest paper factory.
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