Giresun

Giresun

Understand Cherries probably originated in these parts: the town's ancient name was kerasos in Greek and cerasus in Latin. The mountain slopes suit them (they need cold winters) and cultivated cherries were brought to Rome in 72 BC. Hazelnuts also do well: a third of the world's production is from the strip between Giresun and Ordu. The original core of the city is around a promontory and natural harbour. The earliest substantial remains are on the heights, from the citadel from the Byzantine era and its offshoot Empire of Trebizond. Giresun now spreads for several km either side along a beach strip. It has domestic tourism and a relatively liberal culture compared with its neighbours in the region, but international tourists seldom come this way. In legend the Argonauts stopped off here on their quest for the Golden Fleece, as they'd heard about the Amazon women's fertility rites on Giresun Island. They'd have blanched and fled all the way back to Thessaly if they knew what western women get up to in Turkish resorts nowadays.

Source: Wikivoyage · CC BY-SA 4.0.