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Artvin Atatürk Sculpture (Atatepe)

The 22-metre high Artvin Atatürk Sculpture (Artvin Atatürk Heykeli) weighs a total of 60 tons and has been commissioned by Sıtkı Kahvecioğlu Foundation. The sculpture depicts Atatürk, walking on rocks at Dumlupınar. It is the world’s biggest sculpture of Atatürk and right next, there is a 216 m² Turkish flag with a 60-metre long mast.

Artvin (Livane) Castle

Rising atop a steep hill, Artvin Castle is the first thing to greet at the entrance to the city.  A thousand-year-old, also known as Livane Castle (Livane Kalesi) is located on the banks of Çoruh river. It was built in the 10th century by King Bagrat (Georgian). The fortress has been repaired several times under Ottoman rule. It has some remains of a cistern and a chapel.

Artvin Culture House

According to the inscriptions, the house was built by Bicanoğlu Yahya Ağa 1799. Located in Orta neighbourhood and described as a garden villa in Ottoman register, the building is an Ottoman masterpiece. The cypress motifs on both sides of the stove are of major importance in Turkish culture -as the tree is frequently used motif in decoration and the cypress represent the life.     

Kafkasör Highlands

Kafkasör Cultural Protection and Tourism Development Region (Kafkasör Kültür Koruma ve Turizm Geliştirme Bölgesi) is just 10 km from the city center. Surrounded by pine, fir and spruce trees, the highlands boast rugged cliffs covered in virgin forest alongside precipitous slopes and forest trails. High-adrenaline and nature enthusiasts may enjoy the Kafkasör Plateau Festival and Sports Festivities (Kafkasör Yayla ve Spor Festivali) held every year in June provides the chance to explore the cultural and artistic value of the region. Bull fighting is one of the traditional festival events that draw visitors’ attention. 

Hell Stream Canyon

Cehennem Valley Canyon (Cehennem Vadisi Kanyonu) promises magnificent views to its visitors. Even though it is a challenging track, it motivates visitors by turning green in the spring. Located at the 25th kilometre of Artvin-Ardanuç highway, it is a typical canyon. The 500-metre long, 70-metre wide and 6-metre deep canyon ends with Ardanuç stream. Wooden stairs have been placed from the entrance of the canyon to the end for easy access to visitors.

Double Bridges of Ortacalar

Two arched stone bridges of 8t century are 2500 metres away from Ortacalar town centre in Arhavi District. They are located at Küçükköy and Arılı road junction. Similar to each other, they have only one arch and their path is slightly inclined.

Doliskana Church - Hamamlı

Located in Hamamlı Village, it is possible to reach the monastery via a 3-kilometre long road after Artvin-Şavşat highway. According to the inscriptions, it has been built by the Architect Gabriel, by order of Sumbat I of Iberia.  The building is rich in decoration with frescoes and other architectural ornaments. There are three works of art relief: one describing the king standing and holding the model church with both hands, the second describing angel figures and a third one, a human mask on a triangular block stone.

Tekkale Church

Tekkale Village is 4 kilometres south of Yusufeli District and known by its monastery built in the 9th century by Georgian King David. The study of the building complex shows that it was a convent school. The monastery consists of a belfry, a refectory, a seminar hall and a chapel. Its architectural plan is similar to Barhal Church. The monastery is a perfect example of medieval monasteries of the region.

Porta (Handzta) Monastery

Porta (Pırnallı) Monastery (Porta Manastırı) is located in Bağlık hamlet of Pırnallı Village and has been built in the 9th century, under the reign of King Gurgen, the grandson of Ashot I. The monastery consists of a church, a chapel, a fountain and a bell tower. The complex was abandoned at the end of the 16th century. The monastery and the houses surrounding the monastery are a good example reflecting Medieval settlement system.

Tibeti (Tbeti) Church

Tibeti Church (Tibeti Kilisesi) doesn’t have any inscriptions today. However, according to written sources, it was built by the order of Ashot from the Bagratid dynasty in the 10th century. Having become an important religious centre in the 11th century, it has been home to intellectuals and hagiographers of the period. Repaired in 12th and 15th centuries, only the chapel left standing. The church has diverse decorations as well as frescoes.

Barhal Church

Located in Altıparmak Village, Barhal Church (Barhal Kilisesi) is 30 kilometres away Yusufeli District town centre. Barhal is a Georgian Orthodox monastery church, one of the masterpieces of Georgian medieval architecture. Written sources indicate that the church has been built in the 9th century by King David III Kurapalat and consecrated to John the Baptist. The middle nave of the basilica is high and sharply separated. Façade carvings are impressive.  A special feature of the Parkhli Church is the long wall of the middle nave, which is separated by decorative arches, additionally decorated with painted images.  

İşhan Church 

Christian monastery near the village of Arpacık, Artvin province. Only the magnificent church and the adjacent chapel have survived.  The church has a domed basilica plan. The facades of the church constructed with well-cut, multi-coloured stones are enlivened by recessed blind arcades and deep triangular niches. Next to it, stands a chapel – according to the Georgian inscription placed on the entrance of the chapel, situated to the southwest of the cathedral, King Gurgen I (died 1008) dedicated the chapel to the Holy Mother of God.

Yeni Rabat Church

The church is located Çamlık (Rabat) neighbourhood in Bulanık Village, 17 kilometres away from Ardanuç District. The building is similar to other churches in the region. It is believed to be built by Bagratid Dynasty ruling the region in Middle Ages. (Yeni) Rabat Church’s particularity is its triangular niches on the drum –as it is a very rarely seen feature in this region’s medieval architecture. The number of niches is higher than window apertures. It has cut stones ornamented with plant motifs in relief on the façades.

Gevhernik Castle

The Gevhernik Castle (Gevhernik Kalesi) is near Adakale Village of Ardanuç District. Presumably built in the 5th century, it was home to Georgian kings and Childir beys. In 1551, Ottomans conquered the castle and Suleyman the Magnificent had it repaired.  Gevhernik Castle is the only example of outer castle-inner castle structure in the region.

Madenköy-Şavşat

Located 27 kilometres away from Şavşat District, at an altitude of 1900 metres, Maden Village, formerly known as Bazgiret is in a valley surrounded by forests and rocks. It is possible to see Imerhev region’s all typical characteristics in the village. In addition to this, the village is a climate transition zone where both Black Sea’s mild and rainy climate and Eastern Anatolian continental climate coexist, and the flora varies accordingly. The most interesting aspect of the village is that the civil architecture is all wooden and that customs, traditions and authentic lifestyle continue actively. A perfect spot to witness the authentic rustic lifestyle.

Ferhatlı Castle

Ferhatlı Castle is in Ferhatlı Village, 5 km west of Ardanuç. The building has no inscriptions on it. The fortress was repaired in the 5th century by Vakhtang I Gorgasali, king of Iberia. There is no information about restoration. Evliya Çelebi mentions the castle in his travelogue Seyâhatnâme as “Harbe Castle”. Today, only some walls of the rubble stone castle remain standing.

Şavşat (Satlel) Castle

Set in Söğütlü neighbourhood of Şavşat District, the Satlel Castle (Satlel Kalesi) is like other castles of Bagratid castles. The exact date of construction is unknown, but considering these similarities, it is possible to say that it dates back to 9th or 10th century. The castle was also used during Ottoman period. Today, the major part of the fortress walls remains standing. There are ruins of a cistern and a chapel in the castle. Rubble stone and lime mortar have been used in all units of the castle.

Dikyamaç Village Lifestyle Museum

Located in Arhavi district of Artvin Province, Dikyamaç Village and Surroundings Lifestyle Museum (Dikyamaç Köyü Yaşam Tarzı Müzesi), Dikyamaç Museum (Dikyamaç Müzesi) is the regional ethnography museum.

Atabarı Ski Centre

Located 18 kilometres away from the city centre, on Mersivan Plateau (Mersivan Yaylası), Atabarı Ski Centre (Atabarı Kayak Merkezi) has chair lift and gondola installed. Kafkasör Tourism Centre (Kafkasör Turizm Merkezi), only 10 kilometres away, offer accommodation and eating options to skiers.

Artvin Houses

As a “province of forests”, Artvin has the most beautiful examples of wooden architecture. In addition to village houses and plateau houses, all buildings including granaries and barns are also made from wood. There are beautiful examples of stone architecture mostly in Yusufeli, and partially Ardanuç, Arhavi and Hopa districts.