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 Like all cities extending along the beautiful Black Sea coast,
Artvin is a lovely district, 64 km southeast of Hopa, possessing picturesque views of
nature. Typical of this region, wide forests cover the area, and this landscape of
mountains and lakes, plateaus and rivers, together with the traditional settings of pretty
wooden houses, offers a pleasant atmosphere to visitors. The wild and romantic Çoruh
river with its impressive rapids crosses the land here. White water rafting is possible on
this river for the adventure - lovers to enjoy the excitement that few other rivers in the
world offer. Along the road to Erzurum, are the Tortum waterfalls, constituting another
attraction with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. 55 km east of Artvin, are the towns of
Şavşat and Borçka, and the nearby Karagöller, a dreamlike place of beautiful lake.
Wide plateaus are also found in Artvin, one being the Bilbilan; and the other Kafkaslar,
where the famous Kafkasör Festival is held with the interesting bull - fights.
Hopa, an attractive town at the foot of a forested mountain, is the last port before the Turkish-Georgian border. The international boundary actually divides the village of Sarp. 27 km northeast of the town of Borçka on the way to Artvin there is the wonderful alpine lake of Karagöl, with various pine trees, as well as other flora and fauna. The road to Artvin traverses the Cankurtaran mountain pass, where verdant landscape changes to barren rocks. Hatira Valley National Park, about 25 km in length, is 10 km from Artvin, between the confluence of the Çoruh River and the Hatilla stream in the east, and Mt. Nathali (2923 m) in the west. Canyons with sheer cliffs and vertical drops can be seen though out the park. Both Mediterranean and Black Sea flora flourish together in the park along with bears, deer, wolves, foxes and eagles. Special houses on top of wooden stilts are home to the park bees who produce the famous regional honey.
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Sarp border gate is at Hopa. There are many
historical citadels, mosques, churches, and bridges, along with yachting, hunting, fishing
facilities and thermal springs. In this city of diverse nature, there also exist numerous
ancient sites for sightseers to visit. The ruins of a 16th century castle lie at the foot
of the hill where the city is situated. There are fine old churches, dating to the 7th -
and 10th centuries, near the villages of Barhal, İşhan, Bağbaşı and Çamlıyamaç.
Balih Bey Mosque is another important monument of Artvin, and the typical old Turkish
houses are the part of the charming historical scenery. The ride to Artvin via either
route is wonderfully scenic. As you approach Artvin you will notice mediaeval castles
guarding the steep mountain passes. As new roads are built in Eastern Turkey, a window
opens on early civilizations as old as history itself, amid scenery that will take your
breath away. With Trabzon as a starting point, the new and spectacular road to Kars and
Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah's Arc, is an easy drive along the Black Sea
Riviera as far as Hopa, a port within ten miles of Russian border. Here the road winds its
way into towering mountains and verdant valleys and passes the hill town of Artvin, where
you will want to break your journey. At the edge of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains, you
are in the heart of Turkey's wildlife area where natural beauties are balanced by Georgian
and Genoese churches that graced these mountains when Marco polo made his own journey to
the East.
A winding
drive midway up a Mountainside takes you to Artvin, the capital of the province. At the
foot of the escarpment, a ruined 16th century castle crowns a rocky outcrop. Artvin is a
charming city with beautiful old Turkish houses, typical of the region. The area's mild
climate makes summer visits delightfully refreshing and every June, crowds of tourists, as
well as brightly-clad locals, throng to the Kafkasör festival, where the spectacle of
fighting bulls highlights the celebration. The adventurous might like to attempt
white-water rafting on the wild, romantic Çoruh River. During the Middle Ages the Artvin
area came under Georgian sovereignty, which makes it the best place for touring remains of
the Georgian past. Its wonderfully scenic roads lead to the ruined churches and
settlements that stand as a legacy of this period. The best-preserved of these are at
Barhal and lshan, in the majestic Kaçkar Mountains. Barhal also offers some of the best
country horseback riding. Several other churches in Bağbaşı and Çamlıyamaç are just
off the road to Erzurum, passing by the Tortum Waterfalls and the pristine Tortum Lake.
Other Georgian churches and settlements near Yusufeli are Dörtkilise, Köprügören, and
Tekkale. Yusufeli itself boasts wonderful possibilities for nature lovers and hiking at
4,000 meters. East of Artvin is the former Georgian capital Ardanuç with its famous
castle, which overlooks the longest canyon in the region.