Nestled along the rugged coastline of the Black Sea, Samsun is a city where ancient trade routes, imperial ambitions, and contemporary global tensions converge. While Istanbul and Ankara dominate Turkey’s headlines, Samsun’s strategic location has quietly shaped its role in regional politics, energy security, and cultural exchange.
Long before it became a Turkish stronghold, Samsun was known as Amisos—a thriving Greek colony established in the 6th century BCE. The city’s natural harbor made it a coveted prize for empires:
But it was the Ottomans who cemented Samsun’s modern identity. By the 15th century, the city became a hub for tobacco and hazelnut exports—a legacy that still defines its economy today.
Samsun’s most pivotal moment came not from ancient wars but from a single steamship arrival. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stepped ashore here to organize resistance against Allied occupation, he ignited the Turkish War of Independence. The city’s Gazi Museum now houses the very boat (Bandırma Ferry) that carried him, a symbol of defiance against foreign domination—a narrative that resonates deeply in today’s multipolar world.
Turkey’s current balancing act between NATO, Russia, and regional autonomy finds historical parallels in Samsun:
While Odessa and Istanbul grab headlines, Samsun’s port has become an unsung player in Black Sea logistics. With Russian blockades disrupting grain exports, Turkey’s alternative routes—including Samsun—are critical to global food security. Local historians note the irony: a city once besieged by Russian forces now mediates their fallout.
Samsun’s Çarşamba Air Base, upgraded in 2020, underscores Turkey’s dual strategy: cooperating with NATO while maintaining ties to Moscow. The base’s radar systems monitor Black Sea tensions, a modern twist on its ancient role as a lookout point.
Samsun’s hinterland is home to the Laz people, a Caucasian minority with their own language (Lazuri). Recent years have seen a cultural resurgence:
In cafes along Atatürk Bulvarı, students debate Erdogan’s policies over çay (tea), while rural villages uphold centuries-old traditions. This tension—between globalization and localism—fuels Samsun’s creative energy. Street art murals of Atatürk share walls with TikTok influencers filming Black Sea sunsets.
Turkey supplies 70% of the world’s hazelnuts, and Samsun’s orchards are at the heart of this industry. But erratic weather—linked to warming Black Sea temperatures—threatens harvests. Farmers now experiment with drought-resistant strains, a microcosm of global agricultural adaptation.
Erdogan’s expansionist maritime policies ("Mavi Vatan") have turned Samsun into a logistical hub for offshore drilling. Environmentalists warn of ecological damage, while geopoliticians eye its potential to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.
Beyond postcard views of misty mountains and Ottoman-era bazaars, Samsun offers a lens into:
Next time you read about Black Sea tensions or Turkish elections, remember: the quiet port city of Samsun has been scripting such stories for millennia.