Ordu or Altınordu is a port city on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, historically also known as Cotyora or Kotyora, and the capital of Ordu Province with a population of 217,640 in the city center.
History
In the 8th century BC, Cotyora was founded by the Miletians as one of a string of colonies along the Black Sea coast. The Diodorus Siculus write that it was a colony of the Sinopians. Xenophon's Anabasis relates that the Ten Thousand rested there for 45 days before embarking for home. Strabo also mentions it. Under Pharnaces I of Pontus, Cotyora was united in a synoikismos with Cerasus. Arrian, in the Periplus of the Euxine Sea, describes it as a village "and not a large one." Suda mentioned that it was also called Cytora. The area came under the control of the Danishmends, then the Seljuk Turks in 1214 and 1228, and the Hacıemiroğulları Beylik in 1346. Afterwards, it passed to the dominion of the Ottomans in 1461 along with the Empire of Trabzon. The modern city was founded by the Ottomans as Bayramlı near Eskipazar as a military outpost west of Ordu. In 1869, the city's name was changed to Ordu and it was united with the districts of Bolaman, Perşembe, Ulubey, Hansamana, and Aybastı. At the turn of the 20th century, the city was more than half Christian, and was known for its Greek schools. On 04 Nisan 1921, Ordu province was created by separating from Trebizond Vilayet.
Archaeology
In 2016, archaeologist discovered a marble statue of Cybele. In 2018, at the same site, they also discovered sculptures of Pan and Dionysus.
Ordu today
The Sağra factory shop, selling many varieties of chocolate-covered hazelnuts, is one of the town's attractions. The Boztepe aerial tramway is another popular attraction which is set to become a modern symbol for the city. Local music is typical of the Black Sea region, including the kemençe. The cuisine is primarily based on local vegetables and includes both typical Turkish dishes — such as pide and kebab — and more interesting fare such as plain or caramel 'burnt ice-cream'.
Economy
Ordu is famous for hazelnuts, producing about 25 percent of the worldwide crop. The province relies on the crop for up to 80% of its economic activity. Turkey as a whole produces about 75 percent of the world's hazelnuts. As of 1920, Ordu was one of the few producers of white green beans, which were exported to Europe. Ordu also had mulberry tree plantations for sericulture. Today, the city is partially industrialized and a member of the Anatolian Tigers with its 7 companies.
Places of interest
Paşaoğlu Konağı and Ethnographic museum – an ethnographic museum.
Taşbaşı Cultural Centre – a cultural centre
Boztepe – a hill of overlooking the town from the west. Since June 2012, an aerial lift system provides an easy way of transportation between the city's coastline and the hilltop. The Ordu Boztepe Gondola can transport hourly 900 passengers up to the hilltop in 6.5 minutes.
Old Houses of Ordu in the old city center
Yalı Camii, also called Aziziye Camii – a mosque
Atik İbrahim Paşa Camii, also called Orta Cami – a mosque built in 1770
Eski Pazar Camii – a mosque with adjoining Turkish baths
Ordu has a humid subtropical climate, like most of the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, with warm and humid summers and cool and damp winters. Ordu has a high and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. Precipitation is heaviest in autumn and spring. Snowfall is quite common between the months of December and March, snowing for a week or two, and it can be heavy once it snows. The water temperature, like in the rest of the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is always cool and fluctuates between throughout the year.
People from Ordu
Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu – Famous Turkish cartoonist and graphics designer
