Giresun TRAVEL TIPS

also spelled Keresun city and seaport, northeastern Turkey. It lies along the Black Sea about 110 miles (175 km) west of Trabzon. The older parts of the city lie on a peninsula crowned by a ruined Byzantine fortress, sheltering the small natural harbour. Nearby is Giresun Island, in ancient times called Ares. Giresun was known to the ancient Greeks as Choerades or Pharnacia and to the Romans as Kerasous or Cerasus. The name for the cherry is believed to have been derived from Cerasus (Latin cerasum, French cerise). Cherries have been replaced by hazelnuts as Giresun's chief product. Other exports include walnuts, hides, and timber. An artificial harbour constructed in the early 1960s greatly increased the port's exports. Pop. (2000) 83,636.

In the 2nd century BC, the Roman general Lucullus, who came to the ancient Cerasos, saw a delicious fruit here, and carried its trees back to his country. It was there then that the cherry (Kerasus) giving Giresun its name, spread all over the world.

52 kms east of Ordu, this city is founded near the ruins of a Byzantine fortress. Situated on a cliff overlooking the sea, this old castle possesses a panoramic view. Inside the city, there exists a church dating to the 18th century.

Just outside the harbor, is Giresun Island which also carries remains from the earliest times. The ruins of a temple, built by the Amazons to whom the island is said to have belonged, can be seen here in addition to a Byzantine Monastery.

Traveling along the road to Trabzon, the towns of Kesap, Espiye, Tirebolu, Akcaabat, Görele and Dereli stand, each having a charming atmosphere with their natural and historical beauties. A special event is the "Aksu Art and Culture Festival" for the interested ones, which is a yearly organization held every May. Plateaus have a special role in the tourist activities of the city, as they are suitable for outdoor sports such as camping, picnicking and mountaineering. Most famous plateaus which are also suitable for winter sports are; Kümbet, Kulakkaya, Sisdagi, Karaovacik, Bektas and Egribel.