Zağnos Vadisi Parkı ve Zağnos Köprüsü

Zağnos Valley is the deep valley that runs along the western face of the Trabzon walls, and today it has become one of the city's largest historic parks. English Wikipedia writes that this valley, cut by the Zağnos or İskeleboz stream, formed the western ditch of the walls. The valley is named after Zağnos Pasha, who carried out building work in the city after Trabzon became part of the Ottoman lands in the 15th century. As one of the city's two deep valleys, together with the eastern Tabakhane Valley it surrounds the historic city like an island. In the 20th century the slopes of the valley filled up with unplanned buildings and the walls were hidden from view. According to KÜRE Ansiklopedi, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality and TOKİ began urban transformation work in the valley in the early 2000s. In this process the unplanned buildings were removed and replaced by walking paths, landscaping and open green spaces. The rainwater and sewage lines in the valley were also separated. English Wikipedia states that as of 2017 the valley had been turned into a park with an unobstructed view of the walls and the aqueduct. Zağnos Bridge, in the middle of the park, is the historic heart of the valley. The provincial culture directorate writes that the bridge links the Zindan Gate with the Imaret Gate. Historical sources mention a timber drawbridge at this point, and Roman and Byzantine workmanship can be seen in the bridge piers. Researchers have identified four building phases in the bridge. Because it was repaired by Zağnos Pasha in the 15th century, it is also known as the Zağnospaşa Bridge. Turkish Wikipedia dates this repair to 1467 and records that the bridge was renewed and widened in 1888. Kültür Portalı explains that the bridge today has two supports, a single arch and a round vault. Cut stone was used as the building material, and the parapet is not original. The structure was widened with brackets for traffic, and a reinforced concrete deck was added on top. Seen from the valley floor, the difference between the old stone arch and the later additions is clearly visible. On the seaward side of the valley stand the Zağnos Tower and, at its eastern entrance, the Abdullah Pasha Fountain. According to the provincial culture directorate, the fountain was built of marble in 1844 by Haznedarzade Abdullah Pasha, governor of Trabzon. It originally stood in front of the water distribution house on today's Taksim Square and was dismantled and moved to its present place when the street was widened. Its Empire-style facade carries a stylised tree of life motif, rosettes in the corners and a nine-line inscription in Persian. On the İmaret stream on the western slope of the valley there is a five-arched aqueduct, which the provincial culture directorate dates to the 13th century. The park is laid out today with footpaths, seating areas, children's play areas and pools. KÜRE Ansiklopedi also writes that the park has a bird-watching area introducing local and exotic species. In the citadel area to the south of the valley, archaeological excavations are being carried out under the Trabzon Museum Directorate. A September 2024 announcement by the Trabzon Governorship reports that the excavations continue in cooperation between the museum directorate, the municipalities, the chamber of commerce and Karadeniz Technical University. According to KÜRE, the remains of a masonry palace thought to belong to the Komnenos dynasty, a bath and vaulted structures have been identified in these excavations. The best way to explore the valley is to enter from the seaward side and walk south. Going in this direction, the walls rise on your left and the arch of the bridge appears from a different angle at every step. Passing under the bridge and looking up the valley, you can see the yellow facade of the Kanuni House standing on the walls. Because the paths have steps, some sections can be difficult with a pushchair. Stone surfaces get slippery after rain, so choose comfortable shoes with a good grip. As the park is in the city centre, it can be reached on foot or by city public transport. Whether the excavation areas are open to visitors should be checked in local announcements.