Three Castles Along the Coast
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The Giresun coast carries a line of defence running from the Pontic era to the Genoese, and three of its castles still stand. This route crosses them west to east; two face the sea and one the valley. Between them lies a town considered the home of the kemençe. Four stops, seventy kilometres, a full day.
Route Stops
Giresun Castle.
Begin at the castle in the centre. Parts of the walls stand and the interior is a park; from here you see how the coast runs and understand the route's direction.
Andoz Castle.
In Espiye, on a rock mass commanding the Yağlıdere valley. The climb is a twenty minute path. From the top the valley, the hazelnut groves and the distant sea share one frame.
Tirebolu and Saint Jean Castle.
The Genoese castle at the tip of a headland. Walking through the walls to the point leaves sea on three sides. The town's shore is part of the visit.
Görele. (This is likely a place name and should be transliterated.)
A coastal town associated with the kemençe. Tea houses line the shore and old houses stand in the back streets. Görele pide makes the right lunch stop.
