stretches along The Black Sea the north of Trabzon and the other cities of Northern Türkiye. It gives the region its mild, humid climate, its permanent greenery and the rainfall that created this captivating landscape. Because our visitors so often ask about it, we've put together a brief note on its history and the origin of its name.
Where is the Black Sea?
It is a semi-enclosed inland sea connected to the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul. Six countries surround it: Türkiye to the south, plus Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. Trabzon sits on its southern shore and is among its most important and historic cities.
A brief history and its ancient names
The ancient Greeks knew it as "Pontos", initially calling it "the inhospitable sea" (Pontos Axeinos) because its waves and storms endangered sailors. They later changed the name optimistically to "the hospitable sea" (Pontos Euxeinos) after establishing their cities and ports along its shores — Trabzon (Trapezus) being one of the most famous of those ancient Greek cities. Since then it has remained an important trade route through the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations to the present day.
Why is it called the Black Sea?
Its Turkish name is Karadeniz , literally "the Black Sea". There is more than one explanation for the name:
- The dark colour of its waters: it is a deep sea whose waters appear an intense dark blue verging on black, especially beneath the region's frequent clouds and storms.
- The ancient colour-direction system: the peoples of the region (including the Turks) used colours to denote directions, and black symbolised the north. Since this sea lies north of Anatolia, it became the "Black Sea", as opposed to the "White Sea" (the Mediterranean) to the south — and Turks still call the Mediterranean "Akdeniz", meaning the White Sea.
- Its storms and dangers: sailors of old associated it with fierce waves and dark fog, so its name became linked with gloom and danger.
Whichever explanation is most likely, the name has endured through the centuries in most of the world's languages.
The Black Sea and Trabzon for visitors
A visit to Trabzon isn't complete without enjoying the Black Sea: its beaches and promenade, its refreshing breeze and its boat trips. The sea also shapes the region's cuisine, most famously the hamsi (anchovy) which is a symbol of the Northern Türkiye table. Its climate is the secret behind the greenery you see in Uzungol andAyder and the highlands.
