Espiye is a historical district located along the Black Sea coastline on the western coast of Giresun . It is bordered by Tirebolu and Güce to the east, Keşap and Yağlıdere to the west, Alucra and Şebinkarahisar to the south, and the Black Sea to the north. Gaining district status with Law No. 7033 on September 1 , 1957, Espiye has a population of 38,840 as of 2024. The district's economy is based on hazelnut and tea cultivation on the narrow coastal plains, traditional sea fishing, and trout farming, which has developed in recent years, as well as animal husbandry, beekeeping, and forestry.
Espiye ( Source: Espiye Municipality )
History
Located in the foothills of the Giresun Mountains, within the narrow coastal corridor of the Eastern Black Sea, Espiye's settlement history stretches from ancient times to the founding of the Republic. The earliest traces of the Espiye region date back to Xenophon's "Anabasis," which reported in written sources in the 5th century BC that the Kohls, Drillers, Tibarens, and other indigenous tribes were located on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. The region was located within the trade and cultural corridor extending inland from the urban network established by the Milesians in the Black Sea . The borders of the Kingdom of Pontus, established shortly thereafter, also included Espiye. Pontus, which became the most powerful center in the Black Sea during the Mithridates period, was able to resist the Romans for a long time thanks to the region's rich vegetation and strategic ports .
The Roman annexation of Pontus in 63 BC brought Espiye under Roman rule. The ruined rocky coasts to the north provided natural defense against navies arriving from the Mediterranean, while the interior remained under Roman, and later Byzantine, control. With the establishment of the Empire of Trebizond following the Fourth Crusade in 1204 , the region remained under Eastern Roman rule, centered in Trebizond, for approximately 250 years.
The arrival of the Chepni, a branch of the Oghuz Turks, across the Giresun Mountains and into the Harşit Valley in the 12th-14th centuries is considered a turning point in Espiye's ethnic and cultural transformation. The Hacı Emirli Principality, established around Mesudiye, gained the support of the local population through raids against the Greek Empire of Trebizond with a force of over ten thousand cavalry . The Emirli Principality's siege of Giresun in 1397 gave rise to the title "Conqueror of Giresun." However, until the conquest of Trabzon, Espiye remained administratively within the borders of the Greek State.
With the conquest of Trabzon by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1461 , Espiye and the entire Black Sea coast came under Ottoman rule. The settlement, recorded as "Esbiyelü" or "Çepni Eli" in Ottoman census records, appears as a small village of 16 households in a 1515 register . The name Espiye, derived from the root "Esb" (Persian for " horse "), means "horsehouse" or "mansion with horses," indicating that the region was a Turkish land known for its horse breeding .
Andoz Castle, situated on a hill overlooking Espiye, was a 90x20- meter structure built for military observation . It was not a settlement, but rather a key defensive post monitoring sea and land routes . The castle ruins prove that Espiye's current center was based on a much older geostrategic order.
After the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, Espiye remained a subdistrict of the Tirebolu district for many years . With Law No. 7033, dated September 1, 1957, Espiye established its own municipal organization and was elevated to district status. This phase enabled the expansion of both local government and public services to the villages and neighborhoods within the settlement , transforming Espiye into a modern administrative center .
During the occupation period following World War I , volunteer units organized under the command of Osman Ağa against Russian forces entering the Harşit Valley provided significant support for both regional defense and military operations during the War of Independence. Born in Kurugeriş village, Major Hüseyin Avni Alpaslan served in the War of Independence, participating in the Sakarya and Dumlupınar fronts and falling a martyr on August 30 , 1922; this act of heroism cemented Espiye's place in national history.
Espiye's historical evolution encompasses a complex of geographical and cultural layers, extending from antiquity to Pontus and Rome, from Byzantium to the Greek Empire of Trebizond, the Çepni migration, the Ottoman Empire, and the Republic. Its name, meaning "land of horses," points to the region's potential for animal husbandry, which attracted Turkish communities, while the ruins of Andoz Castle reveal its strategic importance at the intersection of military and commercial routes. The heroism of the War of Independence and the modernization process, which concluded with its status as a district in 1957, have transformed Espiye into a contemporary district while preserving its historical continuity in the inland Black Sea region.
Geography and Climate
The district of Espiye is an extremely rugged settlement , spreading over an area of approximately 230 km², nestled in the narrow coastal belt of the Eastern Black Sea region, nestled against the foothills of the Giresun Mountains. Bordered by the Black Sea to the north, Tirebolu and Güce to the east, Keşap and Yağlıdere to the west, and Alucra and Şebinkarahisar to the south, the district is characterized by steep slopes and deep valleys rising immediately from the coast. While the Black Sea Coastal Road passing through the center makes access relatively easy, much of the district lies on steep slopes and in narrow valley floors.
Espiye's terrain consists of parallel mountain ranges that rise rapidly from the coastline to the mountain ridges. The underlying metamorphic rocks (gneiss, schist, marble ) and ophiolitic bands create a strong erosion potential due to the rough surface waters combined with heavy rainfall . While valley floors begin at only 100–150 m, plains up to 600 m appear 5–10 km inland, the highest of which are arable lands in the Karaovacık Valley. Intervalley ridges range from 800–1,200 m, with peaks further out in the district occasionally approaching 1,500 m.
Small tributaries of its main stream, the Harşit (Aksu) Stream, carve valleys within deep canyons. These tributaries, which accumulate spring snowmelt and autumn precipitation, lose much of their flow in the summer months, flowing in narrow, syringe- shaped channels . Rapidly rising flows in the winter carry flood potential. This cyclical pattern recharges the alluvial deposits in the valley floor and forms the basis for hydroelectric potential.
Espiye experiences a distinctly humid Black Sea climate. Average annual precipitation exceeds 1,300 mm; although precipitation is distributed throughout the year, the highest values are recorded in autumn and winter . Summers are cool, with daily maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 25°C; winters are mild and rainy, with occasional brief snowfalls. Humidity is high, and prolonged fog and dew periods provide nutrients to the belted forest canopy. This climate brings with it the typical effects of high humidity, such as increased fungal and lichen diversity.
The lower valley floors and sub-slope terraces contain hazelnut orchards, corn, bean , and potato plantations . These areas are limited to a few narrow belts with fertile alluvial soils. Broadleaf forests dominate the higher slopes: oak, hornbeam, beech, and chestnut trees; pine and spruce communities occur above 600 m. Forest pastures provide cool summer pastures for livestock, and beekeeping is a small-scale sideline based on the native flora.
Espiye's settlement pattern is confined to narrow belts confined to the valley floors. Waves of rural migration , particularly among young people, have driven the population toward coastal cities and led to population shifts to the district center and larger villages. This dynamic paves the way for fluctuations in urban infrastructure planning and seasonal population increases due to the multi- month migration from the highlands. Strategies such as valley floor water management, slope- controlled agricultural techniques, flood risk reduction, and the integration of high-humidity environments with ecotourism are critical for sustainable development.
Economy
The economy of Espiye district is built on the agricultural potential offered by the narrow valley floors sandwiched between the narrow coastal belt of the Black Sea coast and the steep slopes of the Giresun Mountains . Geographic constraints drive production patterns toward small-scale, multi-product family farms, while regional climate and soil conditions further shape this production pattern.
Hazelnut production forms the backbone of Espiye's production, accounting for two-thirds of Türkiye's global production. Approximately 80% of the district's arable land is covered by hazelnut orchards; these orchards, covering a total area of 8,596 hectares, yield an average annual yield of 6,000 tons. The average orchard size per family is 15–16 decares; yields range from 120–150 kg/decare along the coast and 20–70 kg/decare in higher elevations. Tea is cultivated on 1,860 decares of land in villages and neighborhoods near the coastline, amidst Espiye's rugged topography . While tea's annual production of 1,200 tons accounts for a limited share of the local economy , it is a relatively high-value-added product, subject to substance dependence and soil selectivity. Vegetable and corn cultivation are carried out for home consumption in narrow valley floors . While corn yields range from 300 kg/acre (coastal) to 100–150 kg/acre (upper coastal), the area is increasingly being used for small-scale livestock feed. Fruit production , with an annual production of 240 tons, encompasses numerous species such as apples , pears , cherries , sour cherries , figs, and kiwis . While disease and pest pressures and costs have reduced fruit growing to a secondary agricultural activity , cooperative-supported "collective orchard" investments are recommended to capitalize on its potential .
The large livestock population includes 4,750 head of cattle; the small livestock population includes 4,440 sheep, 100 goats, and 300 water buffalo. Dairy farming on small family farms is improving productivity by increasing the proportion of crossbreds through artificial insemination. Annual average production of 8,690 tons of milk, 225 tons of cheese, and 212.5 tons of butter remains largely for family consumption, but any surplus milk has the potential to be utilized through cooperatives.
Poultry farming is limited to 10,080 birds, and corn stalks and grain serve both as animal feed and as agricultural waste. Beekeeping is conducted in 8,450 technical hives; however, hazelnut weevil spraying in May causes 50–75% loss in colonies, suppressing the average annual honey production of 72 tons. Beeswax production is around 54 tons.
In addition to traditional coastal fishing in the Black Sea, Espiye has also been making progress in trout farming in recent years. Small-scale facilities in freshwater resources contribute to rural employment, while increasing the diversity of aquaculture products and developing marketing channels will strengthen economic diversity. Pasture areas within forest boundaries and the mixed forest village arrangement create a revenue pool for non-hay, wood, and non-wood products (such as mushrooms, blueberries, and henna) . Cooperative-based integration can play a critical role in rural development by ensuring the sustainable collection and marketing of forest products.
Tourism - Culture - Cuisine
Throughout history, Espiye has served as a gateway to both the Black Sea's winding trade routes and the inland highland corridors. This geographical role has shaped the cultural practices adopted by the local population. The tradition of transhumance stands out among the district's most important intangible heritage elements. Traditional highland festivals, held annually in June and July on the Karaovacık, Yaşmaklı, and Ağaçbaşı highlands , keep the social solidarity of nomadic villagers alive. Activities such as folk dances, bağlama performances, and "highland agha" competitions transform the regional identity into a collective ritual. Handicrafts constitute another important pillar of Espiye's historical and cultural memory. Needle lace and knitting mastery are passed down, particularly by women craftspeople; hand -woven kilims and fleece carpets, with their naturally dyed motifs, offer both aesthetic and functional products. Less common traditional crafts such as saddle making (quiver and saddle making), wood carving, hartama or gun decoration are taught to new generations through municipally supported “Culture and Art Workshops” that open from time to time .
Espiye's tourism potential is nourished by both historical and natural assets, primarily Andoz Castle. Situated on a sharp hill on the edge of Yağlıdere Creek, 2 km from the town center, Andoz Castle is a small defensive structure estimated to have been built around 1300 BC; the remains of walls and some towers have survived to the present day. Restoration work that began in the 1990s has partially preserved the castle's original architectural texture and provided visitors with a viewing platform with sea and valley views. Seven Mills Nature Park, one of the focal points of nature tourism, covers an area of 103 hectares within the borders of the villages of Avluca, Yeniköy and Akkaya, 28 km southwest of the district of Espiye. In the park, where caves and waterfalls eroded by karst spring waters are lined up one after the other, there are five waterfalls , seven active mill structures, two caves and the ruins of a castle. The powerful water currents emerging from the caves have turned the millstones for centuries; This mechanical heritage, along with its cave formations adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, creates a unique geocultural landscape . Interconnected hiking trails, integrated with the rainforest -like vegetation, create opportunities for ecotourists to explore.
Just 7 km from the city center, Espiye Urban Forest spreads over 385 hectares at an elevation of 600 m above sea level. Watchtowers and observation decks offer panoramic coastal views of Espiye and the neighboring Keşap district. Picnic areas and recreational facilities host both day trips and educational forest awareness events. In addition, Espiye boasts a coastline with a wide sandy beach . While its tourist infrastructure is still limited, its quiet coves, natural beauty, and calm currents, suitable for water sports, offer potential as an alternative tourist attraction .
Espiye cuisine offers regional flavors within a range of products typical of the Black Sea region. The district's most important gastronomic event is the Beetroot Soup Regional Cooking Competition, held annually in May. This event, organized to showcase local farmers' beet production and regional agricultural traditions, has evolved into a gastronomic platform where the most unique soup recipes compete. Corn, the staple grain of the Black Sea region, is an integral part of both bread and dishes in Espiye. Cornbread, made from corn flour, is a staple at dinners and highland breakfasts. Fish such as anchovies and bonito caught in coastal villages are salted and dried before being incorporated into winter stocks. The tradition of dried anchovies reflects both practical nutritional needs and a maritime culture. Çökelek ( a type of cheese made from highland milk), tulum cheese, and butter are brought to the table along with a variety of pickles (peppers, beets, and cabbage ) prepared for winter . It is best experienced in the form of "yağlaşı," a dish cooked with nettles, garlic, and flour, served with yogurt. This dish carries both seasonal change and plant livelihoods to a gastronomic dimension.
