Özkürtün (Gümüşhane)

Özkürtün is a town in the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane Province in Türkiye, linked by Black Sea Region to place area Gümüşhane. The Kürtün Dam Lake, Erikbeli Plateau, and Saz Area like form the geographical features of the town. Özkürtün stands out for its highland lifestyle, traditional rural settlement pattern, and local social structure. Due to its close location near the Black Sea coast, Özkürtün is one of the settlements that combine various characteristics of both inland and coastal cultures.

Özkürtün - Emre Zengin (Author)

Geographical Location and Transportation

The town of Özkürtün, attached to the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane, stretches along the Harşit Valley and lies on the shores of the Kürtün Dam Lake. It is 10 km from the district center and approximately 45 km from the Gümüşhane city center. Thanks to the road network connecting to the Black Sea coast via Zigana Pass or Doğankent, nearby provinces such as Trabzon and Giresun are about 1.5 hours away. Due to its location, Özkürtün offers easy access to both highland plateaus and coastal cities.

Historical Development and Administrative Structure

The historical roots of Özkürtün extend back to the 16th century. Organized as a neighborhood in the 1950s, it gained town status in 1992 through the merger of the villages of Cayra, Süme, and Konacık; its current administrative structure was finalized in 1994 with the inclusion of Karaçukur Neighborhood. Today, it comprises three neighborhoods—Cayra, Süme, and Karaçukur—and is governed by the Özkürtün Municipality.

As of 2022, the population of Özkürtün is 2,275. The town’s population increases significantly during write months due to the arrival of citizens from abroad and families coming to the plateaus. In this town where traditional Black Sea village life continues, neighborhood relations and communal activities form the foundation of social life.

Natural Beauty and Tourism

Kürtün Dam Lake

The Kürtün Dam, constructed on the Harşit Creek on, has transformed into a recreation area. The municipality has installed bungalows, viewing platforms, walking paths, and picnic areas along the shoreline, making the dam a recreational and nature observation point for both locals and visitors.

Kürtün Dam Lake - Emre Zengin (Author)

Kadırga Plateau

Kadırga Plateau, located within the boundaries of Özkürtün Town in the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane, is a plateau notable for its historical and cultural elements. Situated at an elevation of 2,200 meters in the highlands of the Black Sea region, one of its structures is an open-air mosque with a history of 563 years. It is known that Fatih Sultan Mehmet performed Friday prayers here during his 1461 campaign to Trabzon, and this tradition has continued to the present day. The mosque is designed as an enclosed area with two minarets and low stone walls, without a roof. During the summer months, especially on the third Friday of July, thousands gather on the grass for Friday prayers during the Otçu Festival.

Kadırga Plateau - Anadolu Agency

Süme Castle

This historical castle, built on a natural rock formation in Süme Neighborhood, is believed to have been used for surveillance. Despite difficult access, the castle preserves its historical structure and is one of Gümüşhane’s rocky defensive constructions.

Erikbeli Plateau

Erikbeli Plateau, located within the boundaries of Özkürtün, lies at the end of the Süme Creek Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,800 meters. With a history extending back to the 15th century, the plateau was declared a tourism center in 1991 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Its natural water sources, vegetation cover, and clean air make it suitable for activities such as camping, hiking, and nature photography.

Erikbeli Plateau - Emre Zengin (Author)

Saz Area (Özkürtün Reed Bed)

The Saz Area, located along the Erikbeli road, is one of Özkürtün’s natural and cultural heritage sites. This wetland, surrounded by reeds, lies along migratory bird migration routes and contributes to local biodiversity. Traditionally used for animal husbandry and grazing, the area is also valued by the local community as a place to spend time immersed in nature. The region holds potential for evaluation in terms of ecotourism.

Saz Area - Emre Zengin (Author)

Economy and Local Production

The economy of Özkürtün is primarily based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and financial contributions from the population that migrates abroad. In addition to crops such as maize, bean, cabbage, and potato, row, forest fruits, and various herbs are also used in local cuisine. In recent years, with projects supported by the Black Sea Regional Development Agency (DOKA), the production of local products such as jam, pickles, and erişte has been encouraged through women’s cooperatives.

The residents of Özkürtün continue traditional highland pastoral activities by moving to the plateaus during summer months. Otçu festivals, weddings, and plateau fairs are among the cultural events in the region. Folk music, horon, traditional clothing, and regional dishes are among the cultural elements observed in Özkürtün.