TURKEY’S BLACK SEA COAST

In northern Turkey, where the Black Sea meets the imposing Pontic Mountains, a majestic landscape unfolds: gentle and rolling in the west, wild and rugged in the east. It is a region of extraordinary biodiversity that has fascinated travellers for centuries. One of its natural treasures is the Kizilirmak River Delta, a rich habitat for countless species of birds, water buffalo, fish, wild camels and horses. The four-part documentary series takes us on a journey to stunning waterfalls, caves, gorges and mist-shrouded mountain pastures. The rainy coastline is one of Turkey’s most fertile regions. Tea and hazelnut trees flourish on the steep slopes, tobacco thrives in the valleys, and highland blossoms yield nectar for bees that produce a fine type of honey. Saffron, lavender and orchids transform the vast inland meadows into sweeping seas of purple. The Black Sea coast has been shaped by Ottomans, Greeks, Romans and Persians – from Safranbolu, a former Silk Road trading town and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Macka. Referring to Amasra, perhaps the most beautiful Black Sea port, the Greek poet Homer once wrote: “It has the potential to attract people from all over the world.” He was proved right about that.