Rize province is a Black Sea destination that attracts attention with its rich history, unique natural beauties and touristic places. The region, which hosted the Colchis Kingdom in ancient times, gave way to different civilizations over time.
1- Among the historical heritage of Rize;
a) Kale-i Bala: It is located at a point overlooking Fırtına Creek, within the borders of Hisarcık Village, 40 kilometers from Çamlıhemşin district center. It is similar to the Zil castle in terms of its topography and masonry, so it is thought to date from the same period. (14-15th century) It is located close to Başhemşin and Tatos Pass, through which the Kaçkars passed to Anatolia. The rectangular planned castle is built on a steep rock.
b) Zil Castle: 15 km from Çamlıhemşin District center. It is built on the western slopes of Fırtına Creek in the south. The steep rock mass on which the castle was built is 750 m from the sea and approximately 100 m from the stream bed. is in height.
Castle; It consists of outer walls, middle walls and inner castle. The gate of the outer castle is reached via a path in the northwest direction. You can reach the middle walls level with the help of a terrace. From here, you can enter the castle with the help of a second door. There are three important buildings within the middle castle. These are guard house, chapel and head tower. It is understood from the beam marks and beam holes on the walls that the tower has four floors. There are arched windows on the walls towards the east (valley, view) and loopholes on the other sides. It was determined that the top of the tower was in the form of a terrace with a slope.
Zil Kale is located at an important point on the caravan route. It is stated that the castle was also used for security purposes during the Ottoman Period. The first step of the castle was 5th-6th. It is estimated that it was built in the centuries. The castle, which was a security point against dangers that could come from the east during the Byzantine Period, was used to ensure the security of the road, which was important both commercially and militarily, and to accommodate caravans during the Ottoman Period. Kale-i Bâlâ is located at a strategic point between Ciha Castle, Kız Kalesi and Rize Castle.
c) Rize Castle: The castle is built on an area of 480 square meters in the southwest of the city center. It consists of inner and lower castles. It is thought that the inner castle was built during the reign of Justinian I (527-565) and the lower castle was built in the 13th century. The surroundings of the castle are operated as a tea garden with landscaping. It is one of the ideal points in the city center to watch the city. The castle, which does not have a proper plan, is built on a natural hill with a height of 150 meters. The entrance gate of the inner castle, built of smooth cut stone and rubble stone, is in the east. It has five towers with a semicircular plan. Lower Castle; While it was surrounded by walls extending from the inner castle towards the northeast and northwest directions and reaching the sea, a part of the western walls and some tower ruins remain today.
These structures shed light on the past of the region and offer visitors a history-filled atmosphere.
2- Rize, famous for its natural beauties;
a) Tea fields: Tea farming, one of the most important sources of income in the Eastern Black Sea Region, is the center of attention of local and foreign tourists coming to the region. Especially the tea gardens in Haremtepe Village of Çayeli District and the wooden architectural houses built adjacent to the tea gardens attract great attention from visitors.
b) Ayder Plateau: It is a plateau covered with spruce and beech forests at an altitude of 1350 m, located 19 km southeast of Çamlıhemşin district of Rize. It was founded by the people living in Hala Valley in the 1300s.
c) Huser Plateau: You will have an unforgettable journey with our historical arch bridges, waterfalls, wooden and stone plateau houses, as you go to our plateaus, intertwined with nature, at the foot of the Kaçkarlar Mountains, above the clouds, colorful with thousands of different flowers. The taste of honey, oil and cheese you taste in the plateaus leaves a different flavor on the palate. Drinking tea while looking at the magnificent view makes you feel peace and tranquility.
d) Şenyuva Bridge: Located in Çamlıhemşin district of Rize province, Şenyuva Bridge is located on the famous Fırtına Creek. It is thought to have been built in 1696. Şenyuva Bridge, a historical arch bridge, is 40 meters long and 20 meters high. It was built with one eye in accordance with the Black Sea geography. The inscription of the Şenyuva Bridge contains important information about the bridge. However, this inscription was lost during the flood in 1946. The old name of Şenyuva Bridge is "Çinçiva". Şenyuva Bridge, located in the middle of a unique nature, over a pristine stream and allowing magnificent views to be witnessed, is one of the most important historical values of Rize.
Other important places to visit in Rize: There is
Rize Botanical Park and
Rize Atatürk House Museum.
Rize province is a unique destination for history and nature lovers and offers different beauties in every season.
