Amasya

Amasya is a city in northern Turkey and is the capital of Amasya Province, in the Black Sea Region. Tokat from east, Tokat and Yozgat from south, Çorum from west, Samsun from north.The city of Amasya, the Amaseia or Amasia of antiquity stands in the mountains above the Black Sea coast, set apart from the rest of Anatolia in a narrow valley along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River. Although near the Black Sea, this area is high above the coast and has an inland climate, well-suited to growing apples, for which Amasya province, one of the provinces in north-central Anatolia Turkey, is famed. It was the home of the geographer Strabo and the birthplace of the 15th century scholar and physician Amirdovlat Amasiatsi. Located in a narrow cleft of the Yeşilırmak (Iris) river, it has a history of 7,500 years which has left many traces still evident today.

Beautifully situated in a narrow gorge with renowned orchards, it was much favoured by the early Ottomans; crown princes often served as governors. A castle mentioned by the ancient geographer Strabo, who was born there, now lies in ruins on the summit of a rock, though it was restored during Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Notable medieval buildings include several mosques and a library. Old buildings are concentrated on the heavily populated southern side of the river, connected to the north by five bridges.