Most people who come to Giresun leave going up to the castle to the end of the list, then regret it. This is the place that explains, at a single glance, the city's geography, why it was founded here and where the island falls. Go up on the first day, ideally in the late afternoon.
Its history
The core of the castle reaches back to the Kingdom of Pontus. It was then repaired many times under Rome, Byzantium, the Empire of Trebizond and the Ottomans. Each period added according to its own needs, so the walls you see today do not belong to a single age.
The part standing today is a section of the walls and the traces of the gates. Do not expect a complete castle as a structure; the real point is the location.
Inside the castle
In the 20th century the interior was turned into a public promenade. Today it is a wooded park: walking paths, benches, a tea house and a small restaurant. It is where locals take their evening walk.
Inside the park is the memorial tomb of Topal Osman Ağa. A controversial figure of the War of Independence: a local power-holder who gathered the Giresun Volunteer Regiment (the "Giresun lads") and sent them to the fronts. In the same period he is also remembered for acts of violence against the region's non-Muslim population, and the assessment of him in Turkish historiography is sharply divided. The monument is a sign of the strong local bond the city has with this figure.
How to go up?
There are two ways:
- On foot: 15-20 minutes uphill from the city centre. The gradient is serious, so comfortable shoes are needed. The route passes through the stone streets of the Zeytinlik neighbourhood.
- By car: There is a vehicle road all the way up, with a car park. Finding a space can be hard on summer evenings.
Walking up and coming down by car or taxi is a good balance: you see Zeytinlik and spare your knees.
The best hour
Go up half an hour before sunset. The island, the harbour and the hazelnut groves all enter the same frame; the light is much better on the stone walls. Early morning is quiet too, but the view is backlit.
At midday there is little shade, and it can be hot in summer.
Practical information
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Entry | Free |
| Time | 1-2 hours (park included) |
| Elevation | 130 m |
| Distance from centre | 1 km |
| Food and drink | There is a tea house and a small restaurant |
What's nearby?
The castle is the natural hub of the city walk. Within walking distance:
- Zeytinlik neighbourhood — stone streets, 19th-century mansions
- Giresun Museum — the former Gogora Church, once a prison
- Giresun Children's Library — a 1912 Catholic church
- The shore and harbour — the boat to the island leaves from here
On the map
On the map the castle is the natural hub of the city walk, with Zeytinlik and the museum nearby.
Open the guide