Located just east of Samsun's city center, the Tekkeköy district takes its name from a historic dervish lodge, but its most distinctive feature is the Tekkeköy Caves archaeological site, which contains traces of settlement dating from the Paleolithic Age to the Early Bronze Age and the Hittite period. Located on fertile plains near the Black Sea coast, the district today functions as one of Samsun's industrial and logistics centers, a role it maintains thanks to its proximity to organized industrial zones, a port, an airport, and rail and highway connections. Alongside the industrial and service sectors, agricultural production is also a key component of the district's economy.
Tekkeköy (Samsun Governorship)
History
The district's most well-known historical identity is associated with the Tekkeköy Caves archaeological site, located in the valley formed by the Fındıcak and Çınarlı streams. Research conducted in this area has revealed human settlements dating to the Paleolithic (Old Stone), Mesolithic (Middle Stone), and Chalcolithic (Copper Stone) periods. Chipped stone tools (hand axes, scrapers, etc.), obsidian and flint tools, and ceramic fragments found in and around the caves are considered material evidence of human activity during these periods. Based on these findings, some sources consider Tekkeköy to be one of the oldest known settlements in the Black Sea Region.
Traces of settlements dating back to the Early Bronze Age and the Hittite period have also been found in prehistoric layers. Artifacts unearthed during excavations at Tekkeköy Caves and its surroundings indicate that the region was inhabited during these periods as well. While detailed information on the region's status or specific settlements during the Hittite Empire is limited, archaeological data suggests the existence of cultural interactions or settlements during this period.
Information from the Iron Age, Phrygian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods is less clear. However, the region's geographical location suggests that it may have been under the influence of various cultures and administrative structures (such as the Pontic Kingdom) during these periods.
The origin of the district's current name dates back to the Ottoman period. Sources indicate that a dervish lodge (dervish lodge) was established by Sheikh Zeynüddin, who settled in the region in the 14th or 15th centuries. Over time, the settlement that developed around this lodge became known as "Tekkeköy." Within the Ottoman administrative structure, Tekkeköy long remained a village or sub-district of the Canik Sanjak.
During the Republic of Türkiye era, Tekkeköy continued its administrative development. After functioning as a sub-district center for a period, it gained district status with a law enacted in 1987. Since becoming a district, developments in industry and logistics have been made, particularly thanks to its proximity to Samsun's city center and access to transportation networks such as the port, airport, railway, and highway. The establishment of Organized Industrial Zones has played a role in shaping the district's economic and social structure in the modern era.
Geography and Climate
The Tekkeköy district of Samsun province is located east of the city center, on the Black Sea coastline. The district's geography and climate are closely related to its location and surrounding natural systems. The district's terrain consists largely of flat, low-lying areas. Tekkeköy is situated on a fertile coastal plain, part of the Yeşilırmak River delta plain. This plain is characterized by alluvial soil and provides suitable ground for agricultural activities. As one moves inland from the coast, gentle elevations and hilly areas can be observed; the Tekkeköy Caves region is an example of such elevations. The district's overall average elevation is low.
Hydrographically, Tekkeköy, while not a district bordering the Black Sea, is located quite close to the coast and is influenced by the delta system where the Yeşilırmak River flows into the sea. Small streams and drainage channels can be found flowing through or near the district's borders. These streams generally originate in hilly areas inland and flow down to the plains, and may be connected to tributaries of the Yeşilırmak or the delta network.
Tekkeköy's climate exhibits typical Black Sea climate characteristics. This climate type experiences rainfall and humidity throughout the year. Summers are generally warm or hot, and winters are mild; snowfall and frost may be less frequent and shorter than in inland areas. Total annual precipitation is high and relatively evenly distributed throughout the seasons, although the highest precipitation occurs in autumn and winter. Humidity is generally high throughout the year. Specific information on prevailing wind directions and strength can be found in relevant sources.
The district's natural vegetation is influenced by its climate and soil structure. While the coastal plain has largely been converted to agricultural land, inland hilly areas can contain tree species or shrubs from the Black Sea forests. In areas such as deltas and riverbanks, water-dependent plant communities or wetland vegetation can be found.
Population and Demography
Since its official establishment with Law No. 3392, enacted on July 4, 1987, the Tekkeköy district has demonstrated remarkable development in population and demographics as one of Samsun's most dynamic settlements. As of 2024, the district's population reached 58,889; 29,755 of this population were male and 29,134 were female, with a distribution of 50.53% male and 49.47% female.
Looking back over the past years, the population of Tekkeköy, in the period following its founding, was 49,046 in 2007, and reached approximately 49,500 with slight increases in 2008 and 2009. The population, which remained relatively stable between 48,997 and 49,302 in the 2010–2012 period, rose again to 50,124 in 2013; after small declines in 2014 and 2015, it rose to 50,149 in 2016 and 50,955 in 2017. Following this period, a significant growth phase was experienced between 2018–2019, extending from 52 258 to 52 935, and it continued its acceleration with 54 363 in 2020 and climbed step by step to 55 369 in 2021 and 56 318 in 2022. The rate of increase has accelerated even more in the last two years; reaching 58 615 in 2023 and 58 889 in 2024, showing that the district is in a continuous trend from the district center population of nearly forty thousand to an urban population of nearly forty thousand. In the light of these long-term data, it can be said that the population increase observed in Tekkeköy has occurred at rates varying between 1% and 3% on an annual basis. The relatively low and stagnant annual changes in the first years of its establishment indicate that the district administration has matured its infrastructure and service-oriented plans; After 2013, it is understood that the population increased more consistently with the development of economic vitality, housing investments and transportation facilities.
Economy
Located adjacent to Samsun's city center, Tekkeköy's economy has been shaped by its geographical location, transportation infrastructure, and industrial investments. The district serves as one of Samsun's major industrial and logistics centers, while also featuring agricultural activities and the service sector.
One of the main components of Tekkeköy's economy is its industrial sector. Several Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) are located within the district's borders; these zones (e.g., Tekkeköy Organized Industrial Zone, Food Organized Industrial Zone) are home to numerous industrial establishments from various sectors.
The logistics and transportation sectors also play a role in the district's economic structure. Tekkeköy's proximity to Samsun Port, Samsun Çarşamba Airport, the railway network, and major highway routes such as Samsun-Ordu and Samsun-Ankara provides an infrastructure for logistics activities. This influences the location of businesses providing warehousing, transportation, and distribution services in the district. In addition to industry and logistics, the trade and service sectors are also integral to the district's economy. Commercial enterprises and various service providers (banking, public services, retail, etc.) serve industrial establishments and the local population.
The agricultural sector also maintains a significant presence in Tekkeköy's economy. Vegetable and fruit production and greenhouse activities are carried out in the district's fertile plains. Certain agricultural products are also grown, and livestock farming is also practiced. However, an examination of the district's overall economic profile reveals that the industrial and service sectors dominate over agriculture.
Tourism and Culture
The Tekkeköy district of Samsun province derives its cultural and touristic identity largely from the Tekkeköy Caves archaeological site, located within the district's borders. According to available sources, Tekkeköy's tourism and cultural heritage is almost entirely centered around the Tekkeköy Caves archaeological site. With its continuous settlement layers and artifacts dating from the Paleolithic to the Hittites, this site serves as a reference point for prehistoric research in the region. Providing insights into the prehistory and early historical periods of the Black Sea Region, this site is the district's best-known asset. The available sources offer more limited information about this archaeological site, as well as other cultural and gastronomic elements of the district.
Tekkeköy Caves and the surrounding archaeological valley are located in the valley where the Fındıcak and Çınarlı streams converge on the Black Sea coast. Archaeological excavations have identified layers and artifacts dating to the Paleolithic (Old Stone), Mesolithic (Middle Stone), Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone), Old Bronze Age, and Hittite periods. This suggests that the region has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times. The caves are natural rock shelters, and excavations conducted within and around them have yielded stone tools (hand axes, scrapers, borers, etc.), ceramic fragments (pottery), bone, and metal objects from various periods. These artifacts provide insights into the lifestyles, technologies, and cultural structures of the communities that inhabited the region.
