The building within the fairgrounds was constructed in 1968 as an exhibition hall. In 1981, it was opened as the Atatürk Museum, displaying Atatürk's personal belongings. In 2006, it was merged with the Gazi Museum and closed.
GAZİ MUSEUM (1940)Originally built in 1902 as the Mıntıka Palas Hotel, owned by a Greek named Jean Ionnis Mantika. The two-story building features brick and lath walls. M.K.P. stayed in this building during his visits to Samsun in 1919, 1928, and 1930. In 1924, he was hosted at Şahin Zade Remzi Bey's mansion (currently across from Atatürk High School in the Department of Culture and Social Affairs). The museum exhibits wax statues of Gazi and his comrades, photographs taken in Samsun, historical documents, a study room, a bedroom, and his personal belongings.
BANDIRMA FERRY MUSEUMThe ferry was originally purchased from Scotland by a Greek company in 1894, named "Panderma", and later renamed "Bandırma" in 1910. It was scrapped in 1925. In 2001, a replica was commissioned by Taşkınlar A.Ş. and opened as a museum in 2003. Inside, wax statues of Atatürk and his comrades, along with several paintings, are exhibited.
Companions who arrived in Samsun with Atatürk:
Opened in 1981, this museum exhibits findings from the Chalcolithic period to the Ottoman era. The central hall houses the Amisos Mosaic, crafted during the reign of Roman Emperor Alexander Severus in the 3rd century. The mosaic features dialogues between Achilles and his mother, the goddess Thetis, during the Trojan War. It also includes seasonal portraits, nereids (water nymphs), mythological sea creatures, and sacrificial scenes. A notable bronze nude statue from the 1st century Roman era stands in the right hall; the original was made in the 5th century BCE and is located in Cide, Kastamonu. A 500-year-old replica is exhibited here. In 1995, a treasure was discovered during road construction in Cedit neighborhood and is now displayed in this museum. Excavations at the Hittite city of Nerik in Oymaağaç village, Vezirköprü, also yielded artifacts now exhibited in a corner of the hall. The latest excavation was conducted in 2013 by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akın Temur. Notable artifacts showcased include ceramic lamps, censers, jugs, glass plates, metal boxes, gold jewelry collections, crosses, earrings, rings, hairpins, appliqués, necklaces, Medusa and Centaur-headed buttons, and numerous archaeological discoveries.
ETHNOGRPHY MUSEUMOpened in 1981, located in the left hall of the Archaeology Museum. Items exhibited include traditional embroidered garments (bindallı), towels, coin and watch purses, handwritten Qurans, ornaments, kitchenware, and weapons. The courtyard houses sarcophagi, tomb stelae, and relief carvings.
ATATÜRK HOUSE MUSEUMThe museum courtyard contains sarcophagi, tomb stelae, and relief carvings. (2017)
A replica of Atatürk's house in Thessaloniki was built in Kutlukent (Kirazlık) and opened to visitors in 2006. The three-story building exhibits various objects from Atatürk's childhood.
AMİSOS MONUMENTAL TOMBSBetween 1991 and 1995, museum director Mustafa Döver conducted excavations in Amisos. Later, from 2004 to 2006, Sümer Atasoy continued the excavation of the tumuli.
Ancient Hellenistic cities had acropolis and necropolis areas. The acropolis was home to temples, usually situated on high ground. Amisos' acropolis was located where the current Sahil - Sıhhiye School stands. The city also had a necropolis, which was its burial site—this is where the tumuli are located. The burial chambers within these tumuli belong to the kings of the Mithridates dynasty, rulers of the Pontus-Greek state during the 4th and 2nd centuries BCE. Tumuli were constructed using piled-up earth. Amisos features two neighboring tumuli: Southern and Northern Tumuli.
Southern Tumulus Burial ChambersThe tumulus stands 15 meters high and has a 40-meter diameter. The burial chambers were carved into the mound's earthen layers. Each chamber measures 6 x 2.5 meters with a height of 3 meters. The walls are coated with cream-colored plaster, and the structure consists of two adjacent rooms.
Front Chamber: The plaster was designed to mimic stone, with navy blue and red painted lines. Relatives of the deceased would sit on couches inside the room and drink wine as part of mourning rituals. Small niches in the walls held oil lamps.
Rear Chamber: The burial site within this room is decorated with egg-shaped motifs. The walls feature red and black horizontal stripes. Excavations uncovered pottery, jugs, perfume bottles, bone ornaments, and bronze nails, all of which are exhibited in the Archaeology Museum.
Northern Tumulus Burial ChambersThis tumulus is 8 meters high and has a 30-meter diameter. The burial chambers measure 6 x 3 meters with a height of 2.5 meters. The structure consists of three adjacent rooms, adorned with pseudo half-columns. Unlike the Southern Tumulus, no artifacts were found in these chambers.
CITY MUSEUMThe building that houses the museum was originally constructed in 1928 as a railway housing facility. A neighboring structure, used as the Demirspor Clubhouse, was built in 1936. For years, the garden of the clubhouse hosted circumcision ceremonies, engagement parties, and weddings. The former railway residence was restored in 2011, and in 2013, it was officially opened as a museum.
Museum Sections:A-Block: The single-story entrance section of the museum. To the right, exhibits narrate the chronological history of Samsun from the Paleolithic era to the Byzantine period. To the left, displays focus on tobacco cultivation and introduce artists from Samsun. The exhibition hall is also located here.
B-Block: The main building facing Atatürk Boulevard.
Ground Floor: Exhibits highlight migration patterns and natural disasters that affected Samsun throughout history. Ottoman-era documents and photographs are displayed here. Additionally, the virtual museum section allows elderly and disabled visitors to view other museum exhibits via screens, without having to navigate physically.
First Floor: Showcases monuments erected in Samsun during the Republic era, Atatürk's visits to the city, and portraits of Samsun's former mayors, governors, and elected parliamentary members.
Second Floor: Features historical architecture from Samsun, including transportation history exhibits. Visitors can explore various districts using touch screens and wall panels. Animated films provide a more immersive experience of Samsun.
C-Block: This part of the building faces Irmak Street and is accessible from B-Block's first floor via a long corridor, which also serves as an exhibition hall.
Ground Floor: Exhibits focus on traditional handicrafts, Samsun Fair promotional panels, and visuals on local fishing traditions accompanied by explanatory wall texts.
First Floor: Displays highlight Bafra's flooded forests and their bird species (flora and fauna), the Kızılırmak Delta, Ladik-Akdağ winter sports center, beaches, Havza thermal springs, Vezirköprü Oymaağaç, Baruthane-Amisos, Tekkeköy ruins, and Ikiztepe mound, presented on digital frames. Additional rooms showcase Samsun's press history, education history, and sports history.
B-Block Second Floor: Explores Samsun's health history, hospitals, traditional cuisine, children's games, and wedding customs. A "oral history" section features wall texts detailing the memories of elderly Samsun residents. The culture and arts history room focuses on theater, cinema, and music associations in the city.
AMAZON VILLAGE OPEN-AIR MUSEUMThe museum courtyard contains a café, offering visitors a place to relax. (2017)
When a Venetian-style canal was created in Batıpark, an island was formed in 2012, and construction of Amazon Village tents began. By 2014, Amazon Village was opened as an open-air museum. Inside the tents, statues of Amazon queens and their servants are exhibited. The tents also depict Amazonian battles, their captivity of men, and rest areas. Their cave and tent dwellings are represented with 25 Amazon statues. These statues are made to withstand 200°C heat without melting and feature real hair. In the tents, bows, arrows, spears, and kitchen utensils are also displayed.
AMAZONS IN MYTHOLOGYThe word "Amazon" originates from the Greek term mazos (breast), combined with the negation prefix "a-", meaning "breastless". According to myths, Amazons would cut off their right breasts to improve their archery accuracy. To continue their lineage, they would raid neighboring cities and mate with the strongest men. They would kill male offspring and raise daughters as warriors. Greek mythology describes the Amazons as the daughters of Ares, the god of war, and goddesses Otrera and Marpesia. They were believed to have lived in the city of Themiskyra by the Thermedon River (modern-day Terme, Gölyazı village).
Second Legend – The Scythian Warrior WomenAccording to another legend, the women of the Scythians were actually Amazons. They lived in the Caucasus region and became warriors after their husbands were slaughtered in battle, leaving no surviving male population. Forced into battle, these women became fierce fighters. They were of the Mongoloid race, and their burial sites contain weapons placed beside their remains.
Third Legend – The South American AmazonsAnother myth suggests that the Amazon Basin in South America, particularly in Peru, was home to an Amazonian civilization. They were said to have captured men and tied them to trees, shooting them with arrows or burning them alive.
Fourth Type – Real Amazonian ArmiesBeyond mythology, all-female armies have existed throughout history. These were not legends but historical facts. Female warriors fought in African countries during the 19th century and were also deployed in battle by Israel in the 1960s.
Prominent Amazon QueensPenthesilea: Daughter of Ares, the god of war, and Otrera, the Amazon queen. Like her father, she fought alongside the Trojan warriors during the Trojan War. The famous Greek warrior Achilles, fighting for the Achaeans (Greeks), killed her in battle. However, legend says that after slaying her, he fell in love with her and wept over her dead body.
Hippolyte: Daughter of Ares and Otrera, sister of Penthesilea. Her name originates from the Greek words "hippos" (horse) and "lycin" (wild, mad)—meaning "wild horse". Her father Ares gifted her a golden belt. The Greek hero Heracles sought to take this belt from her. Why? Retrieving Hippolyte's belt was the ninth task in Heracles' twelve labors. He ultimately killed her and claimed the belt. The myth influenced cultures for centuries, and many gold belts have been discovered in women's tombs across various countries, regarded as sacred.
Melanippe: An Amazon queen, daughter of Ares and Otrera, and sister of Penthesilea and Hippolyte.
Otrera: An Amazon queen, who had a relationship with Ares and became the mother of three Amazon queens—Penthesilea, Hippolyte, and Melanippe.
Antiope: Daughter of Ares and Amazon queen Marpesia, and sister of Orithia. During the Battle of Themiskyra, Heracles kidnapped her and later gave her to Theseus in Athens as war loot. Meanwhile, the Amazons launched an attack on Athens to rescue Antiope and reclaim the golden belt. Tragically, Antiope died fighting alongside the Athenians.
Orithia: Daughter of Ares and Marpesia, sister of Antiope. After her mother's death, she ruled alongside her sister Antiope as co-queen. She was a feared warrior from the mountains.
Marpesia: An Amazon queen, mother of Antiope and Orithia, born from her relationship with Ares. The name Marpesia means "thief" in Greek. Legend says she lived in Derbent, Dagestan, and a coastline on the Caspian Sea was named after her. She also participated in the construction of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.
Thalestris: A capricious Amazon queen. She wanted to marry Alexander the Great to have powerful warrior daughters, believing that their offspring would conquer the world. She lived with Alexander for 13 days to achieve this. Some historians interpret this event as historical fact, arguing that the Scythian king wanted his daughter to marry Alexander.
Amazon Figures in Ancient ArtDepictions of Amazons appear in ancient temples in Greece and the Aegean region, on battle shields, and on ceramic vases.
TEKKEKÖY OPEN-AIR ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUMAuthors referenced as sources: Homer and Aeschylus (5th century BCE)
The name Tekkeköy originates from a dervish lodge established in the 13th century by Sheikh Zeynüddin. The first excavations in the Tekkeköy Caves were conducted by Kılıç Kökten in 1941. The Tekkeköy windmill remains operational to this day.
The Tekkeköy Archaeology Museum was opened in 2014 and is Turkey's first imitation museum. The Tekkeköy Caves were declared a protected site in 1977, which led to intensive efforts to establish the museum in recent years. An old Greek house was restored and transformed into the museum.
The museum walls feature explanatory texts covering all historical eras from the Paleolithic period onward, offering visitors detailed insights. Exhibits include artifacts from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Ages, along with items from the Hittite and Phrygian periods. Display cases feature pottery, earrings, bracelets, daggers, arrows, and various other artifacts.
In the museum garden, visitors can observe sculptures depicting the lives of hunter-gatherer ancestors from the Paleolithic era. These reenactments are referred to as "substitution" or "imitation" displays.
Buildings from Kerimbey Station will be restored as part of an environmental improvement project, transforming the area into a nostalgia park. One of these buildings will be converted into a Population Exchange Museum. (2017)
Built in the late 13th century, this small mosque is decorated with Kütahya tiles on its walls. The exact construction date of the mosque is unknown. Seyit Kutbittin lived in the 14th century. He was the grandson of Abdülkadir Geylani, the founder of a Sufi order who lived in the 12th century. It is estimated that the mosque was built in the 16th century. The mosque is located within the Old Cemetery.
İSA BABA MOSQUEThis mosque is situated in Cedit Neighborhood. It is said to have been built in the 15th century. The minaret base has a square plan, and the minaret itself is grooved with a single balcony. There is debate among historians about whether İsa Baba was an alperen (a warrior dervish) or a Bektashi. His tomb is located in the mosque's courtyard. In recent years, the mosque underwent renovation, and its garden was reorganized.
PAZAR MOSQUELocated near Saathane Square, this mosque dates back to the Ilkhanid period in the 14th century. It was restored in 1819.
HACI HATUN MOSQUEThis mosque is situated in a side street off Namık Kemal Avenue. It was built in the 17th century by Hacı Hatun, the daughter of İbrahim.
YALI MOSQUELocated in the Buğday Pazarı district, the first mosque was built in the 15th century during the Ilkhanid period. The present-day mosque was constructed in the 19th century on the same site. Abdullah P. Fountain is found in the mosque's courtyard.
KURŞUNLU MOSQUESituated on the boulevard, this mosque dates back to the 14th-century Ilkhanid period. The current structure was rebuilt in the 19th century.
HANÇERLİ MOSQUEThis mosque gave its name to the Hançerli neighborhood. Originally built in the 14th century, it was later reconstructed in the 19th century after the original building was demolished.
KILIÇDEDE MOSQUE AND TOMBThe present mosque was built in 1883 on the site of a mosque originally constructed in the 14th century. Kılıçdede was martyred in the Seljuk-Byzantine War in the 12th century.
Legends about the tomb:During an excavation around the tomb, even though the soil was soft, the digging machine failed to operate.
Byzantines reportedly fired a cannonball at Kılıçdede's location from the sea, but after he recited a prayer, the projectile changed direction and missed him! (But did cannons even exist in the 12th century?)
BÜYÜK MOSQUEDuring the Seljuk period, a wooden mosque called "Kale Mosque" was built on the site of the current mosque. After it burned down in the 1869 fire, Batumlu Hacı Ali Efendi had the present mosque constructed in 1884. It is made of cut stone, has a square plan, and features two minarets. Its windows are decorated with stained glass. There is a last congregation area. The mihrab is made of marble, while the minbar has wooden patterns.
SÜLEYMAN PAŞA MOSQUEBuilt in the 19th century by Haznedarzade Süleyman Paşa, this mosque is also called "Medrese Mosque" due to its association with the madrasa.
SELAHİYE MOSQUEThe exact construction date is unknown, but based on its architectural style, it is believed to have been built in the 19th century. The mosque features a last congregation area.
MATER DOLORSA CHURCHIn Italian, "Mater Dolorosa" means "the grieving mother," referring to the sorrow of the Virgin Mary over the crucifixion of her son. In 1845, Italian Capuchin monks were expelled from Tbilisi by Tsar Nicholas. These monks later established Catholic churches in Samsun, Trabzon, and the Çoruh Valley. The Samsun church dates back to 1857. (The first wooden church: 1661)
KALE MOSQUELocated in the Jewelers' Bazaar, this mosque dates back to the 14th century Ilkhanid period. Inscription: "During the time of Timurtaş Noyan, this blessed mosque was restored."
HAZNEDAR SÜLEYMAN PAŞA MADRASALocated across from the Metropolitan Municipality and next to the Medrese Mosque, this madrasa was constructed by H. Süleyman Paşa in 1813. It has an arched courtyard. Today, it serves as a commercial center. The buildings surrounding it were later removed so that the madrasa and mosque could be visible from all sides.
The identity of Kılıçdede is not definitively known. According to legend, he was martyred while fighting against the Byzantines in the 12th century. In 1970, the tomb was converted into an enclosed space.
SEYYİT KUTBİTTİN TOMBSeyyit Kutbittin was the grandson of Abdülkadir Geylani, a Sufi order founder who lived in the 12th century. He passed away in 1322. The exact date of the tomb's construction is unknown.
İSA BABA TOMBLocated in Cedit Neighborhood, the real name of İsa Baba was İbn Muhammed. It is said that he fought against the Byzantines alongside 39 companions, and the graves beside the tomb belong to his fellow warriors. Because of this, the tomb is also called "The Forty Martyrs Tomb".
Legend: When an enemy ship fired a cannonball, İsa Baba and his 39 companions prayed, causing the projectile to reverse course and strike the ship instead. (A similar legendary tale is told about Kılıçdede. However, cannons did not exist in the Byzantine era.)
Built in the 12th century by the Danişmend dynasty, the castle had three gates:
West Gate: Located where Kale Mosque in the Jewelers' Bazaar stands today.
East Gate: Situated at the site of the present-day Bedestan.
Sea Gate: Near the Ottoman Bank building.
The walls were 8 meters high on the seaside and 6 meters on the landward side. In the 17th century, Evliya Çelebi wrote that the castle had 70 towers. After the 1869 fire, a Swiss architect of French origin redesigned the city's layout, leading to the demolition of the fortress walls. The land was later sold. Today, restoration work in the Saathane district is uncovering remnants of the castle.
TAŞHANLocated near Saathane Square, this two-story building was constructed in the 16th century. It was renovated in 1974. Made of brick and rubble stone, its shop entrances feature arches. The concrete staircase leading to the second floor was added later. The upper level has an arched gallery, and the main entrance is topped with a rounded arch.
ACEM TEKKELocation: Boulevard. The exact construction date of the building is unknown, but it is estimated to be from the 19th century. Since the owner was Iranian, it was named "Acem Tekke" (Persian Lodge). Later, the building was transferred to the treasury. The tekke has a square plan, a basement, a kitchen, and a large ritual hall. An internal staircase leads to the basement, which is supported by wooden columns. Today, the ritual hall is used as a music hall, and the basement serves as a restaurant. Acem Tekke was repurposed as an entertainment venue in 2007.
METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY BUILDINGThis historic stone building was constructed in 1913 by the then-mayor, Mustafa Necip Bey. It has three floors, with balconies on the lower levels. The windows are narrow. Inscription: "Built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed V, under the administration of Gebilizade Necip Efendi". The land was acquired from Salih Beyzade, and the building was designed by Italian engineer Signor Rici. Location: Cumhuriyet Square.
BULVAR SHOPPING MALLEstablished in 1867 by the French Régie Company as the Régie Cigarette Factory, this facility produced brands such as Sipahi, Yenice, Asker, Bafra, Birinci, and Bahar cigarettes. Later, filtered Samsun and Bafra cigarettes were introduced. When the Ballıca Cigarette Factory opened in 1997, production ceased, and the building was transferred to the Metropolitan Municipality. After renovations, it was converted into a shopping mall and named "Bulvar Shopping Mall".
FLO SHOPPING MALLLocated on Gazi Street in Cumhuriyet Square, the building was originally constructed as Polihron Hotel in 1890. Later, it was used as a Greek orphanage (Rum Dar'ul Eytam), the Samsun Courthouse (1930-1940), a military hospital, and the Directorate of Culture. The building has four floors.
MCDONALD'S CAFÉSituated in Cumhuriyet Square, this building was originally constructed in 1890 as a high school (idadiye mektebi). In 1921, it became "İstiklâl Numune Mektebi", an elementary school. Classes were conducted in Turkish in the morning and in French in the afternoon. During his visit to Samsun in 1924, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk met with teachers here and famously stated, "The most genuine guide in life is science".
ZIRAAT BANK İLKADIM BRANCHLocated on Bankalar Street, this building was initially opened as Athens Bank in 1909. When Athens Bank closed in 1923, it became the Thessaloniki Bank. Later, it was used by Emniyet Sandığı (a financial institution) and Ziraat Bank Central Branch. When Ziraat Bank moved to a new building, this site temporarily served as the "Ziraat Bank Special Transactions Center."
GARANTI BANKSituated on the Saathane side of Bankalar Street, this late Ottoman-era building was originally constructed by a French architect. It was used as Ottoman Bank in 1929 before being transferred to Garanti Bank.
ÇARŞI POLICE STATIONLocated in Saathane Square, this building was once used as the Samsun Branch of the Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki Partisi).
SARAY HOTELSituated next to the P.T.T. building, Saray Hotel was among the first hotels built during the Republican era.
FAZIL KADI YOUTH CENTERLocated on Fatih Sultan Mehmet Avenue, this building was originally constructed as a school in 1903. For a time, it was used as Fazıl Kadı Primary School.
MENTAL AND NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES HOSPITALBuilt in 1902, it was initially named Hamidiye Hospital. During the Second Constitutional Era, its name was changed to Canik Guraba Hospital. In 1973, Samsun Medical Faculty was established here as part of Hacettepe University, and medical education was conducted in this building for nine years.
YOL-İŞ UNION(Across from the Teachers' House) This building originally belonged to a Greek resident from Çarşamba. Following the 1923 population exchange, Greeks left, and the building was transferred to the treasury. For a period, it was used as the French Consulate.
SOCIAL SCIENCES HIGH SCHOOL(Located on İstiklâl Avenue) Opened in 1912 as Greek Çinekyan High School, this building later served as Hilal-i Ahmer Hospital, Boys' School, Cumhuriyet Primary School, and Tourism Vocational High School.
PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE OF TOURISM(İstiklâl Avenue) Constructed in 1890 by a Greek banker, this building was later used as the Teachers' House and Teacher's Hospital.
CITY CLUB(İstiklal Avenue) Built in the late Ottoman period by a Greek and his British business partner.
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE COURT(Located on Irmak Avenue) Constructed in 1884, this building was made using stones from the dismantled walls of Samsun Castle. The park in front of it was once a cemetery. Initially located by the seaside, it served as Samsun Province Headquarters until a new Governor's Office was built.
ATATÜRK HIGH SCHOOLEstablished as a Commercial High School in 1913, this building was used as a military hospital during World War I. The old Atatürk Middle School was later converted into the present high school.
SAHIL PALAS(Behind Ziraat Bank) One of the first hotels in Samsun, built in 1930. A three-story stone building.
CENTRAL BANK(Bankalar Street) A two-story building made of cut stone, constructed during the late Ottoman period.
PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE OF FAMILY AND SOCIAL POLICIES(Across from Oba Restaurant) Formerly "Aristofanes Theater" during the late Ottoman period.
BURGER KING HALLLocated on İstiklal Avenue, this building originally belonged to Elmas Hanım, an aristocratic woman. It was transferred to foundations and later to the municipality, which intended to convert it into a City Museum. However, when the museum was established elsewhere, the building continued to serve as a café. The historical name is still displayed on its sign: "Elmas Hanım Mansion".
BEDESTANBuilt in the 17th century, Bedestan originally had 44 shops aligned along the castle walls. It was covered with barrel vaults. Renovated in 1864, its number of entrances was increased to seven. It housed jewelers, antique dealers, and goldsmiths. In 1910, its roof was removed. Today, it accommodates smaller shops and repair businesses.
REGIONAL DIRECTORATE OF FOUNDATIONSLocated in the Saathane area
SÜLEYMANİYE MADRASABuilt in 1813 by Haznedar Süleyman Paşa.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' CLUB(Across from the old Sümerbank building) Originally built as Frerler School, a Greek educational institution. In 1938, it was used as the Division Command Headquarters. One of the late Ottoman-era Greek buildings.
DIRECTORATE OF CULTURE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS(Across from Atatürk High School) Previously Şahinzade Remzi Bey Mansion, which was later used as the Municipal Conservatory. This is also the house where Atatürk was hosted in 1924.
MILITARY BRANCH OFFICEPreviously the British Consulate. A two-story stone building.
Located in Atatürk Park, this monument was created by Austrian sculptor Hans Krippel. It was brought to Samsun on October 15, 1931, and inaugurated on January 15, 1932. The statue itself is 4.75 meters tall and 8.85 meters with its pedestal. Atatürk's hand rests on the hilt of his sword, facing westward. The reliefs on the pedestal depict ammunition carriers, an artillery cart, and villagers and city folk gathered around Atatürk. Inscription on the pedestal: "To start the national struggle, Gazi arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919. This statue was erected by the people of Samsun Province on October 29".
İLKADIM MONUMENTLocated at the site of the former tobacco pier, this monument marks the exact spot where Atatürk first set foot on land. However, because the area has been expanded with landfill, the monument now stands 250 meters inland from the 1919 shoreline. The first monument, built in 1969 by Seçkin Vitel, was a simple column. The second monument, constructed in 1981 by Hakkı Atamulu, features three human figures representing Atatürk and his military comrades, Refet Bele and Kazım Dirik. The other two figures represent a male and female university student. Inscription on the pedestal: "On May 19, 1919, I arrived in Samsun." — Gazi Mustafa Kemal
CLOCK TOWERThe first tower, built in 1887 during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, was designed by a French architect using Ünye stone. In 1933, a new clock was imported, and the old one was sent to Kavak. The tower was damaged during the 1943 earthquake and was eventually demolished. The second tower, constructed in 1977 by architect Kemal Taner, featured a new Swiss-made clock, while the previous clock was relocated to Lâdik. However, this model differed from the original design and was later demolished. In 2001, the third tower was built using Lâdik andesite stone.
YILDIRAY ÇINAR STATUELocated near A.K.M., this statue commemorates Yıldıray Çınar, a famous Turkish folk musician from Çarşamba who lived between 1940 and 2007. A cultural center in Samsun was also named "Yıldıray Çınar Culture Center" in his honor.
AMAZON STATUESituated on Amazon Island in West Park, this statue was built in 2009 by 10 sculptors from Samsun and Ankara. It represents Queen Hippolyte of the Amazons, who, according to legend, lived in ancient Themiskyra—believed to be present-day Gölyazı Village in Terme. The statue is 12.5 meters tall, 4 meters wide, and weighs 6 tons. The surrounding reliefs depict Amazon warriors in battle and hunting scenes
FISHERMAN STATUEAt the beginning of the promenade leading to East Park, this large-scale fisherman statue stands by the sea, attracting the attention of passersby.
ANATOLIAN LION STATUESThese massive lion sculptures were built on Amazon Island in 2009. They are visible from afar and were modeled after the lion statues of Anıtkabir, which, in turn, were inspired by the Hattuşa (Boğazköy) lion reliefs. The lions measure 24 meters in length, 8 meters in width, and 11 meters in height. Visitors can climb inside the statues using a staircase that allows them to ascend from the feet to the head for a panoramic view.
YAŞAR DOĞU STATUEErected in Yaşar Doğu Park in the İlkadım District, this statue was completed and opened to the public in 2014.
Located across Cumhuriyet Square, this site commemorates the historical Tobacco Pier, which was originally 500 meters west of its present location in 1919. To align it with Cumhuriyet Square, a large promenade area was developed here, measuring 400 x 45 meters. In front of the Bandırma Ferry, wax sculptures of Atatürk and his 18 comrades symbolize their arrival in Samsun. The entrance to Russian Bazaar is also in this area. Additionally, statues of Samsun veterans and martyrs who fought against Greek militia are displayed.
ATATÜRK PARKThis park was established in the former garden of the Old Governor's Office, where a cemetery once stood. In 1924, the cemetery was converted into a park. Cemeteries are usually built on the outskirts of cities. In the 12th century, Saathane was the city center, while this area was considered a peripheral district.
EAST PARKThe cycling and walking paths in this park stretch between Sevgi Park and Bandırma Ferry. It is a landfill area that hosts Samsunspor and municipal recreational facilities. The East Park Amphitheater is suitable for concerts, and there are several sports fields.
SEVGİ PARKLocated west of East Park, this promenade area features picnic tables around the Sevgi Lake, as well as cafés. The artificial waterfall next to Sevgi Lake is a sight worth seeing.
ZOOSituated in Sevgi Park, near the railway overpass, the zoo houses a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, bears, wolves, sheep, goats, poultry, giraffes, and some game animals.
NEW KORDONThis promenade runs between the Yalova Ship and Bandırma Ferry and features walking and cycling paths, cafés, and tea gardens. Visitors can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride or a ferry tour to Yeşilyurt and back.
WEST PARKLocated between the Yacht Club and the Fine Arts Campus, this area features Amazon Island, a children's park, seafood restaurants, equestrian sports facilities, barbecue-friendly picnic areas, pedestrian and cycling paths. It is ideal for pedal boat and kayak tours and also has a go-kart track.
VENETIAN-STYLE CANALIn 2008, a promenade canal was constructed extending from the cove with seafood restaurants to the mouth of Kürtün Creek. The canal resembles a river and has five bridges, some of which allow passage to Amazon Island.
CABLE CARThe cable car takes visitors to a tumulus containing ancient burial chambers. This historical site is called "Amisos". Here, visitors can find a motel, restaurant, café, and prayer room. The burial chambers can be explored via a wooden pathway, and access by car is also possible.
HASKÖY OAK FACILITIESOperated by Canik Municipality, these facilities include motels, picnic tables, restaurants, cafés, ornamental pools, and a prayer room.
ÇAKIRLAR GROVEThis woodland area is situated within a lake. Wooden pathways have been built on stilts, allowing visitors to walk through the grove over the water. A tent housing peacocks stands out in the center of the lake. Along its shores, visitors can find picnic tables, restaurants, and cafés.
TOPTEPE OBSERVATION TOWERLocated east of Samsun, Toptepe is the highest point in the city. Visitors can reach it on foot or by car and climb the wooden tower to view Samsun through a telescope.
KOCADAĞ PICNIC AREAKocadağ can be accessed via the Alanlı junction and is near the TV tower. Every year, a group hike is organized to the mountain. Visitors hike up and return by municipal bus. Participants enjoy group picnics at the summit, and paragliding is also possible here.
ASARAĞAÇ PICNIC AREALocated in the forested area between Tekkeköy and Kutlukent, this picnic spot features cold natural spring water. It is a favorite destination, especially among conservative locals who do not visit the seaside in summer.
TEKKEKÖY ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKSituated at the junction of Fındıcak and Çınarlı streams, near Tekkeköy Caves, this park also houses the Tekkeköy Archaeology Museum. It includes picnic tables, barbecue pits, and a prayer room. During the summer, music concerts are hosted in the park.
WATERFALLS OF SAMSUN
Built on the site of old garages, this is the largest shopping center in the Black Sea Region. It has four floors, with shops on each level. The fourth floor features restaurants, cafés, Playland gaming center, and movie theaters. The Decathlon section on the ground floor offers sports equipment, and ice skating is also available. Bowling is located on the fourth floor.
YEŞİLYURT SHOPPING MALLLocated in Atakum, this was Samsun's first shopping mall. It has four floors, with a cinema and various cultural events held regularly.
BULVAR LIFESTYLE AND SHOPPING CENTERSituated in Cumhuriyet Square, this center was established after the Reji Cigarette Factory was shut down and transferred to the Metropolitan Municipality. The historic buildings were renovated and converted into a shopping mall, which now houses many shops, restaurants, and cafés.
LOVELET OUTLET SHOPPING MALLLocated in Canik District, at the outskirts of the city, along the Samsun-Kutlukent highway. The two-story buildings occupy a large area. In addition to restaurants and cafés, there are entertainment venues such as movie theaters.
MAKRO SHOPPING MALLSituated next to Samsun Bus Terminal, this mall features numerous shops, restaurants, cafés, a vegetable market, and entertainment options like bowling.