The chief artery of traffic leads through the Orta Hissar (Pl. A, 1, 2) or older and central part of the castle. It passes (left) the Seraï (Pl. 13; A, 1), the seat of the governor-general, and (right) the mosque of Orta Hissar Jamissi (Pl. 9; A, 1), once the church of Panagia Chrysokephalos, said to have been founded by Justinian.
At the Seraï a street diverging to the left leads to the Yokari Hissar (Pl. A, 2), or old upper castle, with the ruins of the imperial palace of the Comneni.—On the N. side of the Seraï various crooked lanes descend through the Ashagi Hissar (Pl. A, 1), or lower castle, the wall of which projects over the W. ravine, to the Fishing Harbour, the ancient harbour of Trapezūs, where remains of an almost semicircular quay are still visible under water The appearance of the fishing-boats is very quaint.
Through the Zendan Kapusí (Pl. 14; A, 1), or W. gate, we pass from the Seraï over a second viaduct to the West Hill. Here lie (on the left) the picturesque Turkish Cemetery and a suburb occupied by Turks and Greeks. Beyond the infantry-barracks, at the W. end of this suburb, rises the old Aya Sóphia Church, now a mosque.
Beautiful *Views are obtained from the caves of Kirk Batal (Pl. B, C, 2), on the slope of Boz Tepeh (p. [572]), above the Greek cemetery, and from the high-lying Greek nunnery of Panaya Theoskepastos (Turk. Kizlar Monastir; Pl. B, 2).
A pleasant Drive (or walk or ride) may be taken to the hill of Suk-Su in the S.W. with the summer-residences of the wealthier Greeks; or to the W. along the coast to (1 hr.) Platana (see below; motor-omn. 15 pias.; carr. there and back 40–50 pias.); or to the S., through the Pyxites Valley (p. [572]), following a road traversed by many camel-caravans, and ascending steeply to (4 hrs.) Jevislik (carr. there and back 80 pias.; provisions should be taken).
Beyond Trebizond the Steamer passes the little port of Platana, the ancient Hermonassa, with a good roadstead, protected against the W. and N.W. winds. The lofty Cape Yoros or Ieros (ancient Hieron; lighthouse), is visible for some 65 M. and is locally regarded as an infallible barometer.
Tireboli, the Tripolis of the Greeks, the next seaport, now a quiet little town with 5000 inhab., lies, like Kerasun, amid the magnificent rocky scenery of the spurs of the Sis Dagh (9220 ft.) and the Chal Dagh (6450 ft.), the summits of which are often covered with snow. Roads lead thence inland to the towns of Gümüshkhaneh and Karahissar.
Farther on, beyond Cape Zephyros (Turk. Zefireh Burnu) we reach the seaport of Kerasun or Kerasund (Turk. Kiresün, Greek Kireson), founded under the name of Kerasūs by the Milesians of Sinope and now a town of about 18,000 inhabitants. Like Trebizond it was one of the resting-places of the Ten Thousand under Xenophon (p. [572]). Its situation on and behind a small peninsula (about 425 ft.; lighthouse), which used to be fortified, and backed by superb mountains is very picturesque. The poor anchorage of the steamers is on the W. side of the peninsula, near the pier and the custom-house. Owing to the want of good communication with the hinterland its maritime commerce is insignificant.
The steamers seldom call at Ordu, the ancient Kotyora, but steer across the Bay of Vona, the winter quarters of most of the sailing-vessels on this coast, which is admirably sheltered by Cape Vona (Boōna Promontorium; lighthouse).