Zeytinlik Quarter is a protected area in Giresun city center consisting of 80 registered houses from the 1840s; built by Greeks, with Marseille-tiled roofs and narrow stone streets, the neighborhood is open to visitors free of charge.
Zeytinlik is a neighborhood located right in the middle of Giresun city center. It used to be known as Gogora Neighborhood. Most of the houses here were built by Greeks starting from the 1840s. Ships going to Europe for hazelnut trade would bring back construction materials on their return, and the houses were built with those materials: Marseille tiles, Russian stoves called peçi, and a rather unique interior design for its time. Today, there are 80 registered houses in the region, and it was declared a protected area in 1991 by a decision of the Trabzon Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.
There is an interesting detail in the arrangement of the houses: none of them are positioned to block the light, view, or air circulation of another. You feel this as you walk through the narrow streets; each house has an angle, a garden, and a facade facing the sea or the castle. This neighborhood, where Greeks and Turks lived side by side for years, even became the subject of folk songs in its time.
Those staying in Zeytinlik get a better view of the neighborhood's historical texture by going out for a walk early in the morning. Its walking distance to the city center and the coast makes it easy. Some accommodation facilities in the area offer views of both Giresun Castle and the sea simultaneously. The abundance of cats in the gardens is also now a part of the neighborhood.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit Zeytinlik
Since the quarter is an open-air area, it can be visited all year round. Spring and summer months are more comfortable in terms of both light and temperature. The rainy weather of the Black Sea can make street tours a bit difficult in winter months. The morning light hits the narrow streets more beautifully, and the neighborhood becomes a bit more lively in the afternoon.
How to Get to Zeytinlik Quarter?
Zeytinlik is in Giresun city center. It takes about 10 minutes to reach on foot from the coast, and it's a central location for those coming by car. Those arriving in Giresun by intercity bus can take a taxi or dolmuş from the bus station to the quarter in a short time. If you come with your own car, most accommodation facilities have parking, but parking in the narrow streets can be a bit challenging.
Touring Within the Quarter
The streets of Zeytinlik are narrow and stony, so it's necessary to explore on foot, not by car. The houses are close to each other but each is positioned at a different angle. Architects did this consciously so as not to block the light or view of the neighboring house. There is a road leading to Giresun Castle from the highest point of the neighborhood, it makes sense to combine the two in the same walk.
How Many Hours Should You Allocate?
1-1.5 hours is sufficient to explore the quarter itself. But if you add climbing to Giresun Castle and returning, and taking a coffee break in between, half a day passes comfortably. For those coming to Giresun for a day, it's a stop that can be combined with other attractions in the city center (Giresun Island, coast) on the same day.
Accommodation in Zeytinlik
Some of the historic mansions in the quarter serve as practice hotels. Those staying in 19th-century mansions state that they can see Giresun Castle and the sea simultaneously from their spacious rooms. Its walking distance to the city center is an advantage. Some visitors complain about breakfast starting late, around 08:30 AM, and some about portion sizes. It is useful to check current reviews before booking accommodation.
What to Eat, Where to Take a Break?
Some mansions in the quarter also offer coffee and dessert to outside visitors; Turkish coffee and homemade cheesecake are among them. Giresun's hazelnut desserts and local breakfast varieties can also be found in small businesses in the neighborhood.
Things to Pay Attention To
Since the streets are stony and sloped, comfortable shoes are a must; it's difficult to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs. Some houses are private property, so they can only be photographed from the outside; entering is not possible. There are many stray cats in the neighborhood. This should be seen not as an inconvenience but as a part of the quarter.
Good Spots for Photography
Corner junctions where narrow streets meet, wooden door and window details, and the silhouette of the roofs seen when looking back from the road leading to the castle provide good shots. The morning light hits the stone walls and tiles more vividly.
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