Alucra Ikiztepe Tumulus in Giresun, Türkiye comprises two 40-meter-high burial mounds from the Hellenistic Period (4th-1st century BC), free to visit but currently not developed for tourism.
Ikiztepe (Twin Hill) gets its name from two adjacent burial mounds, approximately 50 meters apart. Both are about 40 meters high and wide, built on flat land. They are located in the Ikiztepeler area of Pirili Village, on parcel 49 of island 135. They are likely dated to the Hellenistic Period (4th-1st century BC).
The Trabzon Museum Directorate conducted excavation work here in previous years, but the work was halted when no results were obtained. The tumuli were registered as cultural assets on January 19, 1990, with decision number 610. Locally, they are known as "Twin Hills." News reports indicate that the first steps were taken in 2025 for a tourism development and thermal spring project for Sivritepe and Ikizler Tumuli in Alucra. The region is currently an active topic on the agenda.
Currently, the excavation site is not open to visitors, and its surroundings do not offer a developed walking route. For those who wish to see it, this is a quiet historical stop in rural Alucra, accessible by walking or car.
Guide's Note
What is Alucra Ikiztepe Tumulus?
Ikiztepe is a group of tumuli consisting of two separate burial mounds. Both mounds are approximately 50 meters apart, rising on flat land. Their height and width are around 40 meters. Research conducted in the region suggests that the tumuli likely belong to the Hellenistic period, specifically between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. Definitive dating requires the completion of excavation work, but these works were left unfinished in the past.
When to Visit?
The rural roads of Alucra can be challenging in winter. Visiting between late spring and autumn offers a more comfortable experience. In summer, the roads are open, and the surrounding greenery appears more vibrant. It's advisable to confirm weather and road conditions with local sources before you go.
How to Get There?
From Giresun city center, you need to reach Alucra district by road. After Alucra, continue towards Pirili Village, and you will arrive at the Ikiztepeler area from the village road. Public transport options are available up to Alucra district center. For reaching the village and the tumulus area, going by your own vehicle is the most practical way.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
Since the excavation work is unfinished, the tumulus area is not currently a museum or an open area that can be explored, but rather a cultural asset visible from the outside. About 45 minutes is sufficient. On the same day, you can also add Alucra district center and other nearby historical sites to your itinerary.
Other Stops in the Vicinity
There are several other historical sites around Alucra and Şebinkarahisar. Alucra Kamışlı Village Church is about 1.5 km from the tumulus, while on the Şebinkarahisar side, there are stops like Tiralizade Hasan Bey Mansion and Meryem Ana Monastery. These points are close to each other for those who want to create a one-day rural history route.
Things to Consider
Since the excavation work is not completed and the area does not have a developed visitor route, one should not go here with the expectation of a museum visit. The region is on the agenda as part of a tourism development project as of 2025, and visiting conditions may change in the future. Due to rural road conditions, especially in winter, check your vehicle's status.
For Photography
The angle where the two hills stand side by side reveals the symmetry of the tumuli, especially when photographed from a slightly elevated position. The surrounding flat land and the rural landscape of Pirili Village are also elements that can be included in the frame.
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