Kastamonu
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KASTAMONU
Area: 13.108 km²
Population: 423.611 (1990)
Traffic Code: 37
Kastamonu city center, an ancient settlement location, and its districts contain numerous historical structures available for visiting purposes. The major ones among these localities are Araç, Taşköprü, Küre, Abana districts and are protected areas. Archeological protected sites could be counted as Zimbilli Hill (Pompeipolis) in Taşköprü district, Abeş Castle and Geriş Hill in Inebolu district, Ginolu Bay in Çatalzeytin district, Gideros Bay in Cide District.
Districts: Kastamonu (center), Abana, Ağlı, Araç, Azdavay, Bozkurt, Cide, Çatalzeytin, Daday, Devrekani, Doğanyurt, Hanönü, İhsangazi, İnebolu, Küre, Pınarbaşı, Şenpazar, Seydiler, Taşköprü, Tosya.
How to Get
The Kastamonu Province is at the junction point of the historical Silk Road connecting south and east and west with north and Sinop port in Black Sea. The bus station is located in the city center.
Where to Visit
MUSEUMS AND ANCIENT CITIES
Museums
KastamonuArcheologicalMuseum: An archeological collection belonging to the prehistoric, Roman and Byzantine periods is exhibited in the Kastamonu museum.
This historical structure was constructed by Architect Kemalettin Bey between 1914 - 1917 years. In this historical building, Atatürk had stated his historical speech concerning about the "Hat and Dress Revolution" in 1925 at his visit to Kastamonu. The materials used by Atatürk in his Kastamonu visit are also exhibited in the house.
Address: Cumhuriyet Avenue., Kastamonu,
Telephone: (+90-366) 214 10 70 - 214 54 56
Open hours to visit: 08.30 - 12.30 / 13.30 - 17.30 (Closed on Mondays)
LivaPaşaMansionEthnographyMuseum: This building was constructed by Mir Liva Sadik Paşa between 1879 - 1881 years as a private mansion. The structure was nationalized by The Ministry of Culture in 1978 from the private property and was restored afterwards. It was open to visit in 1997 May.
The structure has a cellar + 3 floor and have separate parts for women and men. At the first floor of the mansion the products of Kastamonu hand crafts are exhibited in a different section. The second floor is open for public visit as a Kastamonu Mansion with all of its furniture and materials.
Address: Hepkebirler Quarter, Sakurada Avenue. No:5, Kastamonu,
Telephone: (+90-366) 214 01 49
75th Year of Republic House This mansion was bought from the private property in the extent of the Celebration activities of the 75th Year of the Republic by the Kastamonu Governorship 75th Year of the Republic Celebration Committee and was restored by the same committee. The mansion was assigned to the usage of the Ministry of Tourism for the purpose of introduction.
The house was open for visit since 29 October 1998. The house was decorated by local materials and donations from the folk and these ethnographic materials are on exhibit. Also the photographs, pictures and the objects related to the Kastamonu visit of Atatürk and Hat and Dress Revolution are exhibited.
Address: Hepkebirler Quarter. Saylav Street. No:4, Kastamonu
Telephone: (+90-366) 214 41 61
Open hours to visit: 08.30 - 12.30 / 13.30 - 17.30 (Open everyday)
Ancient Cities
KastamonuCastle: The Kastamonu Castle is one of the major magnificent monuments of the province and it is assumed to be constructed in the Byzantine period. The castle is still impact and the foundation of the inner castle belongs to the Byzantine period and the higher section of the castle belongs to the Candarogullari state period.
Zimbilli Hill Tumulus (Pompeipolis): This ancient city is located in the vicinity of Taşköprü district center and was founded by the Romans in the year BC 64 as the center of the Paphlagonia province. At the executed archeological excavations, lots of historic works and mosaics were discovered.
House Rock Tombs: These rock tombs are located to the south of the city center on a rock starting from an altitude of 8 meters. These rock tombs are dated to the BC 7th century.
RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS
Mosques and Külliye Structures
Atabey Mosque: This mosque is located at the city center. It was constructed in 1273 at the period of Candarogullari state. Because of the wooden pillars extending from the door to the niche of the mosque the mosque is known with the name of 140 pillared mosque among the common folk. The short minaret constructed from the shear stone displays the properties of the Seljukian Period.
Ibni Neccar Mosque: This mosque is located at the city center. It was constructed in 1353 and survived to the present day with various restorations and attachments. The pointed arched entrance door is one of the most beautiful samples of the woodcarving.
Mahmut Bey Mosque: The mosque is located at 20 km. northwest of the city center in the Kasaba Village. It is one of the most beautiful samples of the wooden architecture tradition of the Seljukian and Governmental States period. The mosque was constructed in 1388 by Candaroglu Mahmut Bey. The wooden door wings of the mosque was covered and adorned with ancient inscriptions and plant patterns. The chisel works with colored paints on the plain wood are extremely successful.
Külliye of Ismail Bey: Candaroglu Ismail Bey (1443 - 1480) had constructed a külliye in Kastamonu at the year 1451 which is composed of a mosque, a mausoleum, a bath, a theological school and a charitable establishment. The stone craftsmanship at the front part of the Mausoleum is interesting.
INNS
Ismail Bey Inn: (Kurşunlu (Leaded) Inn) The inn is located in Kastamonu inside the Aktarlar Bazaar and has two main entrances in north and south directions.
Deve Inn: The inn is located in Kastamonu just behind the Külliye of Ismail Bey. At a written inscription, it is stated that this inn was constructed together with the Külliye of Ismail Bey. The front side of the structure is constructed from shear stone and the side walls are from debris stone.
Urgan Inn: The Urgan inn is located in Kastamonu beside the Nasrullah Mosque and was constructed in the year 1748.
Gökçeagaç Caravansary: This Caravansary is located in the Hanönü district center. This Caravansary is assumed to be constructed as a church in Justinien period, but later it was transformed into a caravansary by Turks.
KASTAMONU HOUSES
At the Akmescit, Hepkebirler, Atabey and Ismailbey quarters of the province, the samples of traditional and authentic Turkish houses and the samples of early period Ottoman civil architecture are still standing. This style of traditional houses are not so common at the city center, but this style of houses are encountered at the oldest quarters of Taşköprü, Küre, Inebolu, Araç and Abana districts.
BEACHES
The beaches of Kastamonu province and its districts are mostly archeological and natural protection sites. Among these beaches are Cide Gideros Bay, Cide district beach, Central beach, Kumluca, Akbayir Village beach, Women Beach in Doganyurt, Boyranalti Beach in Inebolu district, Gemiciler Village Beach, Yakaören (Ilişi) Village Beach in Bozkurt, Public Beach in Abana, Holiday Village Beach and Ginolu Beach in Çatalzeytin.
PRESERVED AREAS
Ilgaz Dagi Milli Parki
Kastamonu - Ilgaz Mountain National Park
Location: The park is 45km south of Kastamonu, and 200km north of Ankara, and lies in the Central Anatolian region.
Transportation: The park can be accessed from the Cankiri – Kastamonu highway.
Highlights: The Northern Anatolian fault line, which is the longest and most active in Turkey, passes through the southern foot of Ilgaz Mountain. The dominant species of flora are the black pine, Scotch pine and fir tree, and cover almost all of the mountain. The high annual rainfall, plus the large amount of plant cover, has made this an area with much wildlife, including roe deer, wild boar, wolves, bears and foxes. There is also the possibility of skiing here in the winter, and has the nearest facilities to Ankara.
Facilities: In addition to skiing, it is also possible to trek and camp, and visitors are allowed to fish in the trout farm and ponds in Baldiran Valley between 15 June and 15 September, as well as buying fish from the farm. There is a hotel, an administrative museum, an educational establishment, and ski lift for winter sports.
Küre Daglari Milli Parki
Kastamonu - Küre Mountain National Park
Location: The park lies between Kastamonu and Bartin, in the western Black Sea region.
Transportation: The nearest large town is Zonguldak, to the west, and the park is off the coastal road running west towards Bartin.
Highlights: This park has the variety of flora and fauna but is also one of the places least affected by industrialisation. Around the area are Azdavay, Pinarbasi, Ulus, Bartin, Kurucasile, Amasra and Cide districts. The main animal species found here deer, roe deer, bears, wolves, foxes, jackals, rabbits, wild boar, singing birds, birds of prey and reptiles. Recommended places to visit are Ilica Waterfalls, Valla Canyon, Aydos Canyon, and Ilgarini Cave.
Facilities: There is no administrative building in the park, and no facilities available for visitors.
Araç Türbe Mosque Pine (Araç Türbe Camii Çamı)
Kastamonu - Araç Türbe Mosque Pine
Place: Kastamonu, Araç Türbe Mosque Garden
Characteristics: A 600 years old and 25 meters tall pine tree that have a diameter of 1.85 meters and circumference length of 5.55 meters.
Foundation Date: 27.09.1994
Beldeğirmeni Village Plane Tree (Beldeğirmeni Köyü Çınarı)
Kastamonu - Beldeğirmeni Village Plane Tree
Place: Kastamonu, İnebolu
Characteristics: A 800 years old and 50 meters tall plane tree that have a diameter of 2.30 meters and circumference length of 9 meters.
Foundation Date: 21.04.1995
Oniki Kardeşler Natural Area
Kastamonu - Oniki Kardeşler Natural Area
Place: Kastamonu, İnebolu
Characteristics: An area including 12 beech trees coming from the same root, that are
95 - 105 years old, between 35 - 40 meters tall and each have a diameter of 40 - 45 centimetres.
Foundation Date: 21.04.1995
Erenler Pine (Erenler Çamı)
Kastamonu - Erenler Pine
Place: Kastamonu
Characteristics: A 300 years old pine and 5 meters tall pine tree that have a diameter of 0.9 meters and circumference length of 2.70 meters. The branches of the tree have a thickness of 30 - 40 centimetres, and have a length of 12 - 15 meters, and the branches are parallel to the ground.
Foundation Date: 21.04.1995
CAVES
The caves of the region, which worth seeing could be counted as Ilgarini (Ilvarini) Cave in Pinarbaşi district, Sarpunalinca Cave in Küre district and Kuyluç Cave in Şenpazar district.
Caves of Kastamonu
HIGHLANDS
The major plateaus of the Kastamonu province are Munay, Findikli, Siragömü, Kirazli, Başköy Plateaus in Araç District; Oluklu Plateau in Daday district; Sugla plateau in Azdavay district; Belören plateau in Küre district and Kösem, Dipsizgöl, Yeşil göl, Sekiler plateaus in Tosya district.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Ski Center: There is a ski center in Ilgaz Mountain, which is located inside the borders of Kastamonu and Çankırı provinces.
Winter Tourism
Horse Tours: The horse tours are arranged at the stud farm located in Daday. The Araç plateaus are extremely convenient for horse riding purposes.
Hunting: The suitable hunting grounds for hunting tourism at the province are Taşköprü Koyguncu - Bagdemci, Donalar - Dereköy line, Küre Belören village - Kirazcik - Imamoglu - Alasökü - Şehirören line, Elekdagi - Oymaagaç - Sökü - Bademçambaşi - Paşa - Gündogdu line. The drive hunt for wild boars are arranged in the Çatalzeytin district and its villages. Also the Beyler Dam lake in Devrekani district and Yumurtaci Small lake in Daday district are suitable locations for fishing.
Youth Camps: There is a Tourism Education Center in the Kastamonu Province belonging to the Ministry of Tourism.
The Kastamonu Tourism Training Center
Geography
The dominant climate inside the city border displays two different characteristics. Among the shore line, the dominant climate is high precipitant and warm while in the inner region the dominant climate is cold and dry terrestrial climate.
History
The findings discovered in the Kastamonu province and vicinity states that the first settlement period of the region is based to the Paleolithic Period. The region has entered under the dominance of Hittite, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljukian, Çobanogullari, Candarogullari and Ottoman civilizations.
Where to Eat
The Kastamonu province has rich food varieties. Every Sunday, the common folk cook bread with preserved meat or bread with meat at bakeries.
Among the local food varieties, Tarhana soup (soup with dried yogurt), ana - kiz soup (mother - sister soup) , ecevit soup, külbasti (grilled cutlet), miklama, kapatma, kavurma (fried meat), erişte (vermicelli), köle hamuru (slave paste), banduma, kaygana, cırık, biryan kebab, mantı (meat pastry), haluçka, simit tiriti, misir çöregi (corn bun), baklava, kaşik (spoon) halvah, pekmezli un helvasi (flour halvah with grape molasses), çekme halvah and hasüde are the most preferred deserts and meals.
Where to Buy
Local weavings, sheet cords with different patterns produced only by nail and cotton threads, pinking, materials like towels and table cloths decorated with press technique, wood carved works, musical instruments like saz and baglama (some sort of local stringed instrument), objects like newspaper holder, sugar bowl, bread basket carved from willow tree, prayer beads carved from various trees, boxwood forks and spoons, Tosya jackknifes and copper works are original souvenirs of the region.
The shopping malls are intensified at the Nasrullah Square, Municipality Avenue and Banka Street. It is possible to find local woven works and souvenirs at the Iplikçiler Bazaar.
Don't Leave Without
- Visiting Archeological and Ethnography Museum, and the Castle,
- Visiting Town Hall structure, Zinbilli Hill, Nasrullah Kadi Külliye, Yakup Aga Külliye, Ismail Bey Külliye, Weaving Workshop and Hand Crafts Workshop,
- Tasting Bread with Meat and preserved meat, Biryan, Çekme Halvah,
- Buying local woven works and local hand crafts,
- Participating to the activities of 23 - 31 August Hat and Dress Revolution, The Remembrance Week of "Şeyh Şaban-i Veli and Kastamonu Saints " in the first week of May and District Fair activities,
Sites
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Kastamonu
Sites
Archaeological Sites: 49
Urban Sites: 4
Natural Sites: 3
Historical Sites: -
Other Sites
Archaeological and Natural Sites: 3
Archaeological and Urban Sites: 1
Historical and Urban Sites: 1
Total: 61
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural Heritages: 1424
TOTAL: 1485
Contact Information
Provincial Directorate 
+90-366) 212 01 62
+90-366) 212 01 62Police +90-366) 214 31 61
+90-366) 214 31 61Hospital +90-366) 214 10 53
+90-366) 214 10 53Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (366) 214 22 18
Fax: (366) 212 44 05
Cultural Centers
A hall with 200 seating capacity for theater, conferences, etc. 170 m² Exhibition Hall 3 Art Workshops
Contact Address: Cebrail Mah. 2. Hükümet Cad. No:2 - Kastamonu
Tel: (366) 261 60 23
Fax: (366) 212 44 05
State Fine Arts Gallery Directorate
Kültür Sitesi KASTAMONU
Tel: (0 366) 214 32 33
Fax: 212 44 05
Museum
Archeology Museum:
Address: İsfendiyarbey Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. No:6 - Kastamonu
Tel: (366) 214 54 56
Ethnography Museum:
Address: Hepkebirler Mah. Sakarya Cad. - Kastamonu
Tel: (366) 214 01 49
LINKS
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