Görele is a narrow coastal and mountain pass district of Giresun Province, spreading over an area of ​​290 km² on the eastern Black Sea coast . Bordered by the Black Sea to the north, Eynesil to the east, Tirebolu to the west, and Çanakçı, Gümüşhane , and Torul to the south, Görele is 95% covered by mountains. The Görele and Çömlekçi streams, flowing between the Sis and Haç Mountains, create deep valleys, creating suitable agricultural belts. The district's name comes from the ancient settlement of Philocalea. It was granted district status in 1879, becoming a sub -district of Trabzon Province , and in 1923, it was incorporated into Giresun Province. Its economy is primarily based on hazelnut cultivation, sea and freshwater fishing , animal husbandry, beekeeping, and forestry. In Görele, highland festivals, kemençe and horon festivals and local delicacies such as “Görele pide”, “koz helva” and “yağlaş” nourish both the cultural heritage and the tourism potential.

^{Görele ( Source: Görele Municipality )}

History

Görele's historical geography reflects the sequential evolution of settlements formed along the eastern shore of the Black Sea, along a narrow corridor where the Giresun Mountains meet the sea. The district's oldest name, "Philocalea" (pleasant view ), appears in ancient geographers as "Philocalea" (pleasant view), indicating that the area served as a route point for concentrated Greek colonists due to its natural harbor and expansive sea views from high hills. In ancient times, the settlement, clustered around the ruins of a small castle ("Görele Burnu"), remained under Byzantine control, along with local defensive structures . Following the demolition of this old castle in 1811, the population moved to a new location on the valley floor, forming the present-day central settlement.

During the Ottoman Empire, with the conquest of Trabzon in 1461, the Black Sea coasts were united and Görele was included in this new administrative order. Görele, which became a sub-district of Tirebolu in 1758, was among the districts of Trabzon Province between 1850 and 1866 ; it gained the sub-district status of Trabzon again in 1871, and the district ( kaza ) organization in 1874. While the establishment of the municipal organization in the yearbooks based on the Provincial Regulations is indicated as 1293 (1876), it was officially registered as a district center of Trabzon in 1879. This organization, established under the leadership of the first mayor Ömer Ağa , increased the capacity to meet the administrative and commercial needs of the local people; With Giresun becoming an independent sanjak on December 4 , 1920 , Görele, together with Tirebolu, was connected to the new Giresun province and included within the current provincial borders.

The Russian occupation of World War I ( March 1916– February 1918), which shook the region , led to both demographic and social ruptures in Görele . Faced with the advance of Russian forces, the population was forced to cross the Harşit Stream and surrounding mountain passes, suffering immense hardship. They formed lines of emigration and defense in solidarity with Ottoman troops against the occupation. Following the Russian withdrawal (February 14, 1918), volunteer units of the district's inhabitants joined the War of Independence , and the region remained within national sovereignty until 1922. The departure of the Greek population through the population exchange following the Treaty of Lausanne unified Görele's ethnic makeup.

The Republican era witnessed the rapid reorganization of Görele's administrative and social infrastructure. With Law No. 7033, enacted on September 1, 1957 , the sub-district organization was abolished, making Görele a fully -fledged district center. Municipal and district governorship structures were strengthened, and village and neighborhood boundaries were restructured. Records from the early Republican period document the district's production of 402,271 okkas of hazelnuts, 138,850 okkas of beans , and 90,775 okkas of grapes ; 106 mills, 208 shops, and 61 mosques, along with 3,917 households. These figures demonstrate the dynamism of both agricultural diversity and crafts and trade during the period.

In the second half of the 20th century, although the narrow coastal plains constrained agricultural productivity and infrastructure investments, small-scale industry and workshops continued to develop in Görele. The tradition of craftsmanship, which began with coppersmithing , carpentry, and weaving, has evolved into modern building materials and furniture production. In addition to sea fishing, recent developments in freshwater trout farming, beekeeping, and forestry have further enhanced the district's economic diversity.

Today, Görele's historical layers can still be traced in its building inventory and settlement patterns. Andoz Castle, Ottoman-era mosques and madrasas, and the ruins of traditional bridges and mills await study for both their preservation and tourism potential. Official archives in the district center, documents based on the Trabzon Provincial Yearbooks , and publications from the Görele Municipality and District Governorate offer a rich resource for historical researchers .

Geography and Climate

Görele district is a concentric coastal-mountain belt covering approximately 290 km² on the Black Sea coast. Its geographic and climatic characteristics create a tightly knit natural system consisting of narrow, high-percentage mountain cover, deep valleys, and settlements and production areas developed along the narrow valley floors .

Görele is surrounded by the Black Sea to the north, Eynesil and Vakfıkebir to the east, Tirebolu to the west, and Çanakçı to the south. It is located between the meridians 38°48′–39°12′ E and the parallels 40°36′–41°06′ N. Located 70 km from the city center and further east than Giresun city center, Görele's longest west - east stretch is 16 km, and its north-south spread is 32 km.

The terrain is largely comprised of the Zigana extension of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains, which rose during the Tertiary Alpine orogeny. Volcanic lithologies such as basalt, porphyry, and andesite are found within this primary rock belt. Older, secondary metamorphic sedimentary rock fragments also surface. Various weathering processes have resulted in the development of calcareous, clayey, sandy, humus-rich, loamy, and, in the valley floors, alluvial soils. This heterogeneous soil series creates diversity in both forest and agricultural areas.

The surface consists of slopes divided by narrow, deep valleys facing north, connecting ridges, and narrow valley floors of limited extent. The terrain , rising rapidly from the seashore , offers a wide range of elevations, from valley floors around 100–150 m to peaks exceeding 2,180 m. The highest point in the region is Aladağ (2,180 m) in the south, followed by Alimeydan (Sis) Mountain (2,161 m), Tekgöz Mountain (1,200 m), and Gedik Kıranı (Cross Mountain, 967 m). Among the district's streams, Görele Creek and Çömlekçi Creek stand out; fed by the high rainfall, these streams fill the narrow valley floors with rich alluvium, creating small-scale irrigation opportunities and ecotourism potential.

Görele experiences a typical humid Black Sea climate . Average annual precipitation exceeds 1,300 mm and is widely distributed throughout the season, with peaks in autumn and winter . Summers are cool and humid, with daily maximum temperatures generally not exceeding 22–24 °C. Winters are mild and rainy; snow cover is rarely persistent in the valley floors, while brief and limited snowfall occurs in higher elevations. Average annual temperatures range from 6–8 °C.

The vegetation begins with a broadleaf forest belt extending from sea level to 600 m, where hazelnut orchards, alder, chestnut, cherry , poplar , beech, hornbeam, and walnut trees coexist. On higher slopes, a transition occurs to spruce and fir communities. Small alluvial plains on the valley floors provide the most productive areas for hazelnut and tea cultivation. Pasture and meadow areas above the forest serve livestock farming and highland culture during the summer ; herds that maintain the wintering-transhumance cycle in these pastures keep traditional transhumance practices alive.

Population and Demography

The population and demographic profile of Görele district offers a striking example of how a compact social structure has emerged within a narrow area within the interlocking coastal-mountain belt of the Eastern Black Sea region. According to 2024 Address-Based Population Registration System data, Görele has a total population of 31,661, comprising 15,797 males (49.89%) and 15,864 females (50.11%).

In Görele, the proportion of women in the population (50.11%) is slightly higher than that of men (49.89%). Women are particularly active in hazelnut harvesting, domestic agricultural work, handicraft production, and small-scale food processing, while the male population concentrates on production areas such as sea fishing, animal husbandry, and pasture farming.

Economy

Görele is a settlement area located on a narrow belt on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, 95% of which is covered by mountains, and dominated by the primary sector. The district's economy, shaped by the opportunities and constraints offered by climate and topography, presents a multi-layered structure where hazelnut cultivation, animal husbandry, forestry, marine fishing and aquaculture, small-scale industry, and handicrafts coexist.

The vast majority of Görele's agricultural land is covered by hazelnut orchards. These orchards, which account for a significant share of the province's annual hazelnut production , are cultivated on approximately 7,134 hectares in the district. This family-run operation demonstrates a performance comparable to that of the Black Sea region in terms of yield and quality. Hazelnuts not only provide high added value in both regional and international markets, but also contribute to the environment by combating erosion and protecting soil. Tea cultivation is carried out in the district's narrow coastal belts, under conditions favored by the humid Black Sea climate. Görele's unique microclimate positively influences the tea's aroma profile, and despite limited production areas, it creates a local asset that will contribute to the national tea market. Additionally, corn, beans, potatoes , and various vegetables are being cultivated in narrow valley floors for domestic consumption and small-scale commercial needs.

Livestock farming in the district is supported by the forage potential offered by pastures and forest undergrowth. Cattle, sheep, and poultry farming, run by family businesses, meet households' milk and meat needs, while any surplus is sold to village markets. Artificial insemination practices are increasing the presence of Holstein and Jersey crossbred cattle, resulting in limited, albeit significant, improvements in productivity. Beekeeping is supported by Görele's climate, characterized by high humidity in winters and warm summers, and the rich floral flora of the forest floor. Görele boasts seven of the province's 65 freshwater trout farming projects, which also support aquaculture production. The number of hives serving as a regional pillar for beekeeping has reached 3,000. This production provides both seasonal supplementary income for the village economy and fosters the development of local honey brands.

Within Görele's administrative boundaries, four forest zones (Central, Alimeydan, Çömlekçi, and Kahraman Dere ) cover nearly two-thirds of a total area of ​​approximately 39,000 hectares . These forests contain a mix of broadleaf and coniferous tree species , primarily beech, pine, oak, alder, chestnut, spruce, and laurel . The forest understory contains non-timber products such as fern, nettle, and clover, as well as income sources such as mushroom cultivation and blueberries. These resources are harvested sustainably through local cooperatives, contributing to rural income diversification.

Along the approximately 10 km coastline , traditional small-scale marine fishing (especially anchovy, bonito, and whiting) is the primary source of local livelihood. In addition, freshwater fishing investments, incentivized by the Resource Utilization Support Fund (KKDF) premium programs, are emerging as an alternative sector for rural employment. Seven trout farms in the district have gained momentum in recent years, strengthening regional production and exports.

In Görele, five hazelnut processing plants transform agricultural raw materials into value-added products, forming the backbone of the regional industry. In addition, workshop -level production activities such as metalwork, furniture production, automotive sub-industry, and traditional handicrafts ( wood carving, saddle making, and kemenche making) create additional employment opportunities in rural areas. These small-scale operations have sales channels both to local markets and neighboring districts.

Culture - Tourism - Cuisine

Görele, located on the eastern shores of the Black Sea at the foothills of the Sis and Haç Mountains, boasts a cultural , tourism, and gastronomy ecosystem based on both deep plateau culture and narrow-belt coastal tourism. At the heart of Görele's cultural life lies a tradition of Turkmen/Chepni handicrafts and music. The kemençe is considered unique among Black Sea examples in terms of both the level of craftsmanship and the diversity of its repertoire; its body is made of juniper or mulberry wood, its handle is short, and its bowed strings are made of horsehair . Performed at weddings , engagements, and highland festivals, the Görele kemençe is closely intertwined with the local folk dance , the horon . Collective work and highland solidarity are fundamental social rituals that foster intergenerational relationships in Görele. Collaborative work, such as hazelnut harvesting, corn hulling, and harvesting, reinforces socio-cultural cohesion with folk song recitals and the accompaniment of the kemençe. In addition, rituals based on local folk beliefs such as the " Seventh of May " and "Ninth of March" performed on the threshold of spring are continued as protective ceremonies inherited from prehistoric times.

Görele's long, fine-sand coastline offers opportunities for daily beach tourism during the summer months. In this zone of low waves , the July - August swimming season is popular with local visitors. In recent years, the area's former fishing piers have been converted into simple day-trip facilities, with changing cabins, showers, and tea gardens added to the beach areas.

The district's real tourism potential emerges in domestic tourism with its historical buildings, misty peaks and rich highland meadows.

• Fog Mountain (2,182 m): Home to summer plateau festivals. Steep plateau roads and forest paths offer well-marked routes for hiking enthusiasts.
• Cross Mountain and Dongirik Cave: The stone fountains at the top of Cross Mountain and the natural acoustic sound phenomenon reflected from the cave are a unique experience area for geotourism.
• Dokuzgöz Plateau: It takes its name from the nine different springs in the region; the plateau houses and recreation areas are equipped with infrastructure open to visitors.
• The ruins of Eynesil Castle (nearby) and Görele Castle are preserved as viewing points for both the sea and valley panoramas, and integration projects into cultural routes are underway.
• The ruins of Ottoman mills and wooden bridges in the Görele Stream beds are tangible heritage elements that demonstrate how the region once used water power.

Görele cuisine interprets the basic products of the Black Sea—hazelnuts, corn, fish and green vegetables—in unique recipes.

• Görele Pide : Pide with thin crust and rich fillings, fermented in traditional stone ovens, is a symbol of the city with its varieties such as minced meat, roasted meat, cheese and mixed meat.
• Cornbread : Cornbread, each baked in small metal plates, is a staple of breakfast and dinner tables.
• Anchovy Dishes : Typical anchovies of the Black Sea are consumed by baking or pan-frying, coating them with corn flour and enriching them with horse mackerel and bonito.
• Trout Farms: Freshwater trout, raised on small-scale farms within the district borders, is a top-tier protein source for local menus.
• Black Cabbage Soup, Diblesi and Döşemesi: A staple of winter tables, there are three variations of cracked corn, rice and black cabbage leaves served with different cooking techniques.
• Yayla Soup (Nettle, Chard, Parsley): This is a nutritious soup combining spring herbs with a milky-lemon marinade.
• Görele Ice Cream: Traditional ice cream prepared with milk, salep, sugar and licorice root, kneaded with a copper cylinder in a wooden barrel; it is a registered product with both its melting consistency and natural ingredients.
• Corn Flour Desserts: Sweet buns and akitma varieties made with corn bread leftovers are examples of economic evaluation of rural recipes.