Artvin: Nature, Castle and Culture

Artvin offers several distinct ways to plan a trip: activities in Hatila Valley National Park, historic buildings and a ski center cater to different interests. Artvin Castle and the Okumuşlar Monastery Complex represent different chapters in architectural history; Çayağzı Mosque adds to this perspective. You can also include regional dishes in your plans in Artvin.

Nature Activities in Hatila Valley

Nature walks and trekking are possible in Hatila Valley National Park; orienteering is also among the available activities. The park is located within the boundaries of the village of Taşlıca in Artvin Merkez. These activities differ in their focus: walking and trekking center on walking, while orienteering also involves navigating the terrain. If you’re planning time outdoors, you can then decide which type of activity best suits your travel interests.

Artvin Castle and Architectural History

Artvin Castle stands in Artvin Merkez on a rocky outcrop rising 70 meters above the bed of the Çoruh River. Inside the castle, also known as Livane, are a water cistern and a small chapel. It is estimated that the castle was built by the Bagratids in the 10th century.

Another historic site is Çayağzı Mosque in Artvin Merkez, also known as Salih Bey Mosque. Salih Bey, one of the sanjak beys of Livane (Artvin), built it in 1792 (Hijri 1207). Unlike the castle, the mosque has a specific construction year; the castle’s construction is estimated to date to the 10th century. Comparing the two helps distinguish their different chronological classifications.

Okumuşlar: Monastery Complex and Early Construction Phase

The Okumuşlar Monastery Complex, in a village in Artvin Merkez, includes a refectory, a church ruin and two chapels. A refectory is the dining hall of a monastic community; the term thus refers to a communal space alongside the complex’s sacred buildings. The earliest construction phase of the complex is estimated to date to the mid- or second half of the 9th century. This estimate applies to the earliest construction phase, not necessarily to every element of the complex. In chronological comparison, this estimated early phase predates the estimated 10th-century construction of Artvin Castle.

Ski Center and Regional Cuisine

The Artvin Ski Center in Artvin Merkez has an 800-meter-long chairlift and slopes with varying levels of difficulty. These are two separate points to consider when planning: a specific lift length and varying demands on the slopes. If skiing is one of your travel interests, you can take the different difficulty levels into account when choosing the focus of your trip.

The Artvin Cultural House in Orta Mahallesi, Artvin Merkez, is a place where you can eat regional dishes. Before visiting, check whether the offering is currently available. If regional cuisine is one of your travel interests, the cultural house provides a specific point of reference.

Discover more destinations: Çimenli, Şavşat, Maralköy, Arhavi, Yukarışahinler, Ortacalar, Akantaş Köyü, Borçka, Kireçlik Köyü, Kemalpaşa, Hopa, Avcılar, Yusufeli, Artvin.

For the broader travel overview: Turkey’s Black Sea Coast.