Giresun’s Zeytinlik quarter blossoms into tourism hotspot

The historic Zeytinlik quarter in Giresun has become a significant tourism destination after the restoration of its 40 historical houses.

Built with materials transported from Marseille, France, these 19th-century homes offer visitors a journey back in time.

The Giresun Governorship, the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA), and the Provincial Special Administration launched the Historical Zeytinlik Region Street Improvement and Urban Design Project. They completed the first phase in 2018 and the second in 2020 at a cost of ₺16 million (490,191). After completing the project, they applied to include Zeytinlik on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.

Kemal Akpinar, DOKA’s general secretary, emphasized the project’s goal of reviving the historical structures for tourism. “We have implemented a two-phase project to restore the Zeytinlik quarter to its original state and promote it as a tourism destination,” said Akpinar. “With this project, we have seen an increase in tourism activity in the region.”

Akpinar noted that the restoration was part of broader efforts to boost the area’s tourism potential, which includes planning, analysis, financial support, and promotional activities. “We are working to make Zeytinlik a sustainable tourism brand and preserve its heritage for future generations,” he added.

Gazanfer Iltar, a coordinator of the project and a professor at Giresun University’s Fine Arts Faculty, described the Zeytinlik quarter’s origins in the second half of the 19th century. Wealthy gold miners from Gumushane, fleeing to Giresun during the Ottoman-Russian war, settled in the area. Today, around 80 houses have survived.

Iltar highlighted the unique characteristics of each house. “Every house is like its own concept, complete with outbuildings, ovens, cisterns, and private gardens,” he said. “The houses were designed to maintain privacy and not block each other’s views. They were the smart homes of their time.”

He also mentioned the high living standards in Zeytinlik during the 19th century. “Many building materials and furniture were imported from Europe, especially Marseille,” said Iltar. “You can find brands from important European firms in the materials and furniture of these homes.”

Iltar pointed out that while many historical towns in Turkiye have become commercialized, Zeytinlik’s homes remain livable. “These houses still contain items from the 19th century and are like individual museums,” he explained. “They are still used as homes, not just commercial establishments.”

The ongoing efforts to promote and preserve Zeytinlik reflect a commitment to sustainable tourism and heritage conservation. With its inclusion on UNESCO’s tentative list, Zeytinlik is poised to become a prominent cultural and historical destination, attracting visitors from around the world.