Samsun

Over Samsun

One of the Black Sea’s largest cities, Samsun holds a special place in Turkish history: Atatürk landed here on 19 May 1919 to launch the War of Independence (told at the Onur Monument and the SS Bandırma Museum). Nature is rich too — the Kızılırmak Delta bird sanctuary hosts hundreds of species, and the Bafra and Çarşamba plains are lush green. The Atakum shore and Batıpark are lovely for a stroll.