Gerze is a town and a district of Sinop Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is 49 km east of Sinope and 140 km west of Samsun.

History

The history of Gerze generally follows that of its larger neighbor Sinop. In 1214, Alexios I, Grand Komnenos of the Empire of Trebizond, ceded the region to the Seljuk sultan Kaykaus I. The town of Gerze is first mentioned in 1222 under the Greek name Karousa (Κάρουσα), when Trapezuntine troops landed there in an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Sinop.

In 1461, Mehmed II incorporated the town into the Ottoman Empire.

Region

The Çeçe Sultan Tomb, a pilgrimage place, is 15 km from the town. The date of its construction is unknown. The region is noted for its traditional domestic architecture. The regions of Değirmenler and İdemli, and Gazhane Bay are popular excursion places.

References