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| '''Gümüşhane''' (]: ''Αργυρούπολις'') is a city in northeastern ] and the seat of ]. The city lies along the Harsit River, at an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of ]. The name literally means "silver town" and is derived from the silver (]: gümüş) mines nearby. Its name is a direct translation of the ancient Greek name of the city, ] (Argyro=silver) and Polis (city). As such, the city carries the same value-laden place name as other illustrious counterparts as ], ] and ]. | '''Gümüşhane''' (]: ''Αργυρούπολις'') is a city in northeastern ] and the seat of ]. The city lies along the Harsit River, at an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of ]. The name literally means "silver town" and is derived from the silver (]: gümüş) mines nearby. Its name is a direct translation of the ancient Greek name of the city, ] (Argyro=silver) and Polis (city). As such, the city carries the same value-laden place name as other illustrious counterparts as ], ] and ]. | ||
| The old city was first settled ca. 700 B.C.E. The settlement was made by ] ] traders from ] who were the first to find silver in the region. They called the settlement Thyra or "doorway" in ancient Greek. The ] mines were mentioned by ] and the medieval North African traveler ]. Since the mines were worked out the economy of Gümüşhane has been based upon the export of fruits (chiefly apples and pears) from its orchards and upon its position as a transit station between the port of Trabzon and western ]. Russian occupation during ] (] ] - ] ]) left half of the old city in ruins; the new city built since then is now the commercial and administrative centre. Nearby historical buildings include partially ruined castles, ]s, ]s, and several ] churches.<ref> In 1911, according to the ], "the population was about 3000, who were mainly ], who had emigrated great distances to work in the mines, and supplied virtually the whole ] and silver ] labor in Asiatic Turkey. The ] of Gümüşhane had under his jurisdiction all the communities engaged in this particular class of mines". </ref> | The old city was first settled ca. 700 B.C.E. The settlement was made by ] ] traders from ] who were the first to find silver in the region. They called the settlement Thyra or "doorway" in ancient Greek. The ] mines were mentioned by ] and the medieval North African traveler ]. Since the mines were worked out the economy of Gümüşhane has been based upon the export of fruits (chiefly apples and pears) from its orchards and upon its position as a transit station between the port of Trabzon and western ]. Russian occupation during ] (] ] - ] ]) left half of the old city in ruins; the new city built since then is now the commercial and administrative centre. Nearby historical buildings include partially ruined castles, ]s, ]s, and several ] churches.<ref> In 1911, according to the ], "the population was about 3000, who were mainly ], who had emigrated great distances to work in the mines, and supplied virtually the whole ] and silver ] labor in Asiatic Turkey. The ] of Gümüşhane had under his jurisdiction all the communities engaged in this particular class of mines". </ref> | ||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 06:22, 27 April 2007
Gümüşhane (Greek: Αργυρούπολις) is a city in northeastern Turkey and the seat of Gümüşhane Province. The city lies along the Harsit River, at an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of Trabzon. The name literally means "silver town" and is derived from the silver (Turkish: gümüş) mines nearby. Its name is a direct translation of the ancient Greek name of the city, Argyroupoli (Argyro=silver) and Polis (city). As such, the city carries the same value-laden place name as other illustrious counterparts as Argentina, Argenteuil and Srebrenica.
The old city was first settled ca. 700 B.C.E. The settlement was made by Ionian Greek traders from Trapezus who were the first to find silver in the region. They called the settlement Thyra or "doorway" in ancient Greek. The silver mines were mentioned by Marco Polo and the medieval North African traveler Baṭṭūṭa. Since the mines were worked out the economy of Gümüşhane has been based upon the export of fruits (chiefly apples and pears) from its orchards and upon its position as a transit station between the port of Trabzon and western Iran. Russian occupation during World War I (20 July 1916 - 15 February 1918) left half of the old city in ruins; the new city built since then is now the commercial and administrative centre. Nearby historical buildings include partially ruined castles, Turkish baths, mosques, and several Byzantine churches.
See also
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Footnotes
- In 1911, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "the population was about 3000, who were mainly Greeks, who had emigrated great distances to work in the mines, and supplied virtually the whole lead and silver mining labor in Asiatic Turkey. The Greek bishop of Gümüşhane had under his jurisdiction all the communities engaged in this particular class of mines".
| Gümüşhane in Gümüşhane Province of Turkey | ||
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