Maçka is a district of Trabzon province in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye. It is located on the Trabzon-Gümüşhane highway, approximately 365 meters above sea level. With its natural beauties and historical richness, it is one of the important tourism centers of the Eastern Black Sea.
History
Due to its geographical location, Maçka has been an important transit point since ancient times. Located on the historical Silk Road, the district served as the southern gate of Trabzon. In the 4th century BC, in "Xenophon's "Anabasis", it is stated that his soldiers, upon seeing the Black Sea from the İskobel Plateau in Maçka, erected a monument in joy.
Throughout history, Maçka remained under the rule of the Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and the Komnenos Empire. It was incorporated into Ottoman lands in 1461 with the conquest of Trabzon by **Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror**. During the Ottoman period, the monasteries in the region continued their activities. The district was occupied by Russia in 1916 and regained its independence on 15 February 1918.
Geographical Structure
Maçka is a district located in the Eastern Black Sea Region, at the 29th kilometer of the Trabzon-Gümüşhane highway, within the rugged mountain structure of the Black Sea. The district is established amidst deep valleys, at the confluence of the Meryemana and Hamsiköy streams. On the valley-facing slopes of the mountains, there are dense forests consisting of beech, spruce, fir, and pine trees. This geographical structure has shaped both Maçka's strategic importance and its natural richness. Its location on the historical Silk Road has made it a transit route and junction point throughout history.
Population and Demographic Structure
Maçka’s population, according to 2020 data, is 24,979 people. The population structure has historically been formed by the convergence of different cultures. Hosting numerous civilizations such as Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Komnenos, and Ottomans, has shaped the cultural diversity of its demographic structure. The resident Christian population in the district maintained the monastery culture for many years, and these structures were preserved especially during Ottoman rule.
Maçka district;
Akarsu, Akmescit, Alaçam, Alataş, Altındere, Anayurt, Ardıçlıyayla, Armağan, Atasu, Bağışlı, Bahçekaya, Bakımlı, Bakırcılar, Barışlı, Başar, Coşandere, Çamlıdüz, Çatak, Çayırlar, Çeşmeler, Çıralı, Dikkaya, Erginköy, Esiroğlu, Fatih, Gayretli, Günay, Güney, Gürgenağaç, Güzelce, Güzelyayla, Hamsiköy, Hızarlı, Kapuköy, Kaynarca, Kırantaş, Kiremitli, Konak, Kozağaç, Köprüyanı, Kuşçu, Mataracı, Merkez, Ocaklı, Oğulağaç, Ormaniçi, Ormanüstü, Ortaköy, Öğütlü, Örnekalan, Reşadiye, Sevinç, Sındıran, Sukenarı, Şimşirli, Temelli, Üçgedik, Yaylabaşı, Yazılıtaş, Yazlık, Yeni Atasu, Yeniköy, Yeşiltepe, Yeşilyurt, Yukarıköy, Yüzüncüyıl and Zaferli consisting of a total of 67 neighborhoods.
Social Structure
Throughout history, Maçka has had a multicultural social structure. The district, which came under Ottoman rule with Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror's conquest of Trabzon in 1461, preserved its religious and cultural diversity; especially its monastery structures continued their activities. Another important element shaping the social structure is transhumance (yaylacılık). The people of Maçka traditionally migrate to high-altitude plateaus (yaylas) during the summer months. This culture continues today with a folkloric lifestyle and plateau tourism.
Climate and Vegetation
The climate in Maçka is mild and humid due to year-round rainfall. This climate structure makes the district extremely rich in natural flora. Valleys and mountain slopes are covered especially with beech, spruce, fir, and pine forests. While these forested areas are seen up to an altitude of 2000 meters, typical mountain plants dominate in higher regions. This rich vegetation supports both regional tourism and agriculture and animal husbandry.
Maçka's Vegetation Distribution (Graphic generated by Artificial Intelligence using Climate Data.)
The graph above representatively shows Maçka’s vegetation. Due to its year-round rainy and humid climate, forested areas are quite widespread. Tree species such as beech, spruce, fir, and pine are dominant; in higher elevations, mountain plants are prominent.
Maçka's Monthly Average Temperature and Precipitation Distribution (General Directorate of Meteorology: Contains official climate statistics for Trabzon province. Graphic generated by Artificial Intelligence.)
The graph shows Maçka’s representative monthly average temperature and precipitation values. A humid and mild climate prevails throughout the year. While temperatures rise in the summer months, the amount of precipitation also remains quite high. This climate is the main reason for the rich forest cover and plant diversity in the district.
Economic Structure
Maçka’s economy is based on three main sectors: agriculture, animal husbandry, and tourism. While crops such as corn and hazelnuts are grown in the fertile lands of the district, cattle and small livestock farming are carried out in the plateaus. Additionally, historical and touristic values like Sümela Monastery attract significant visitor traffic to the district. The clean air and natural beauties of the plateaus increase tourism revenues, especially in the summer months, which forms an important component of the economic structure.
Natural Structure and Climate
Maçka is established in valleys surrounded by pine forests. The lands of the district are covered with rich forest vegetation up to 2000 meters, while higher elevations are covered with plateaus and mountains. Its climate is mild and humid with year-round rainfall. This fertile soil structure harbors many plant and flower species.
Historical and Touristic Places
Maçka is home to many historical artifacts:
Sümela Monastery:
It was first built in the 4th century by two Athenian monks, by expanding a cave. Expanded in the 6th and 13th centuries, the monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary.
It continued its activities during the Ottoman period. The monastery contains aqueducts, a church, a sacred spring (ayazma), a kitchen, student rooms, a library, and food storage areas. It is located 47 km from Trabzon and 17 km from Maçka, within Altındere National Park.
Vazelon Monastery:
It is located 8 km from Maçka, among pine forests. Although its exact founding date is not known, some researchers state that it was built between 270-317 AD. It was repaired during the reign of Emperor Justinian. It was abandoned in 1923.
Vazelon Monastery (Taken from Black Sea Cultural Inventory.)
Kuştul Monastery:
It was built on a hill overlooking the valley in Kuştul Village, Esiroğlu Town. Although not as important as other monasteries, it attracts the interest of foreign tourists.
Kuştul Monastery (Taken from Black Sea Cultural Inventory.)
Plateaus
Maçka has many plateaus famous for their natural beauties.
- Şolma Plateau: Located 22 km from the district center, surrounded by pine forests, famous for its cold water springs and flat meadows.
- Kiraz, Lapazan, Kulindağı, Maura and Lişer Plateaus: Each of these plateaus, with their unique natural beauties, attract visitors with their clean air and spring waters. "Soğuksu Festivals" are held annually on July 7th in Lişer Plateau.
Trabzon, MAÇKA Plateau (Mehmet Ali Ayvaz, Pexels)
Economy and Culture
Maçka's economy is primarily based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and tourism. The district is also known for its trouts and famous rice pudding (sütlaç). With its rich cultural heritage and natural beauties, Maçka stands out as a destination where history and nature intertwine.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Maçka district is shaped by the geographical and climatic conditions of the Eastern Black Sea Region, offering a culinary culture based on local agricultural and animal husbandry products. Key ingredients include cornflour, butter, cabbage, beans, anchovies (hamsi), and dairy products. Kuymak (mıhlama), prepared with cornflour and Kolot cheese, and cornbread are common. Wraps (sarma) and soup made with black cabbage are frequently consumed dishes in the region. Anchovy pilaf is cooked with anchovies, rice, dill, and various spices. Trout, caught in natural waters, is served grilled or cooked in butter. Fried pickled beans and oven-baked rice pudding (sütlaç), cooked in a stone oven, also hold an important place in the local cuisine. These dishes are directly related to Maçka’s natural resources and traditional way of life.
A Snippet from Maçka District of Trabzon Province and Hamsiköy Neighborhood of Maçka District
Hamsiköy is a neighborhood of Maçka district in Trabzon province, located approximately 19 kilometers from the district center, on the northern foothills of Zigana Mountain. Located on the northern route of the historical Silk Road, Hamsiköy is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level. Hamsiköy is especially known for its natural beauties and famous rice pudding (sütlaç). Furthermore, its proximity to important tourist attractions such as Zigana Mountain and Sümela Monastery makes it noteworthy.
