Zonguldak - City of Coal and Mining since years

Saturday, 14 December 2013 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

Zonguldak - Coming from Ankara, we take the E89 towards Bolu until we turn onto the D750 near Yamanlar, heading towards Zonguldak and the Black Sea coast. We are greeted by the provincial sign of the Zonguldak region.

Our route takes us to the port, which has become crucial for handling the region's significant coal deposits. Loading docks can be seen that look just like those in the Ruhr area of Germany. Traces of coal mining and heavy industry are visible throughout the city, which ultimately explains the steady population growth to approximately 108,000 inhabitants in 2009, despite the considerable number of residents who emigrated, mostly for economic reasons. Understandably, a large proportion of these emigrants now live in the Ruhr area of Germany.

The Black Sea offers attractive leisure activities.

But Zonguldak also has a completely different side. The beaches of Alaplı, Ilıksu, and Kopuz, as well as the Kopuz and Uzunkum seaside resorts, are truly worth a visit. The sea offers every imaginable leisure activity, even if it doesn't reach the temperatures of the Mediterranean. But that's not for everyone. Here you'll find peace and unspoiled nature, no high-rise hotels, and no rows of sun loungers.

In the surrounding area, in addition to several caves worth visiting (Cumayanı, Kızılelma, and Mencilis), there are magnificent forests that invite you to hike and relax, such as the forest recreation areas at Gölberg. The highlands of Kocaman, Bostanözü, Çamlık, Baklabostan, and Gürleyik also offer pristine nature. Add to that the mild maritime climate, which is particularly inviting for outdoor activities.

Zonguldak – Ancient Buildings and Bridges Keep You from Getting Bored

Besides several ancient churches, there are mosques worth seeing (Fatih and Iskele), the Dervish monasteries of Kalealtı and Ali Baba, the Cinci Han caravanserai, and the ancient bridges of Taşköprü, Tokatlıköprü, and Inceköprü. A wealth of sights to see, requiring several leisurely walks around the city. So, boredom is unlikely to set in, as the Zonguldak Museum is also well worth a visit. Thanks to Kara Elmas University, the streets are quite vibrant, with many students now filling the city.