Düzce province (separated from Bolu in 1999) sits in the Düzce plain — a 20×20 km alluvial basin at the foot of the Bolu Mountains, drained by the Aksu and Melen rivers toward the Black Sea. The plain is intensely farmed (hazelnut, wheat, tobacco) and densely populated.
The province is best known internationally for the November 12, 1999 earthquake (M7.2) that struck 89 days after the Kocaeli earthquake — the two earthquakes together killed over 19,000 people and are Turkey’s worst modern seismic disasters.
- Region
- Western Black Sea / Bolu Mountain foothills
- Distance from Istanbul
- 200 km east on the D-100/TEM highway
- Key site
- Konuralp (Prusias ad Hypium) — Roman theatre and antiquities
- Known for
- Efteni lake, Konuralp ruins, hazelnut, 1999 earthquake
Efteni Lake
Efteni Gölü is a 10 km² shallow freshwater lake formed by the Aksu River — a biodiversity hotspot and Important Bird Area with large populations of herons, egrets, kingfishers and seasonal migrants. The lake is a popular recreation area for Düzce city residents: the lakeside road has tea gardens, picnic areas and rowing boats. In spring, the lake shores bloom with wildflowers and the birdwatching is excellent (March–May migration).
Konuralp — Ancient Prusias
Konuralp (ancient Prusias ad Hypium) was a significant city of the Roman province of Bithynia — founded in the 2nd century BC by the Bithynian king Prusias I. The ancient city is spread around the modern village of Konuralp, 5 km north of Düzce city. Visible remains include the Roman theatre (seats carved into a hillside), sections of city wall, inscriptions and column fragments. TheKonuralp Müzesi displays the excavation finds including sculpture, coins and architectural elements.
Bolu Mountain Foothills
The Bolu Mountains rising south of Düzce reach over 1,800 m and are part of the Bolu range (shared with Bolu province). The foothills above Düzce have forest walking paths, several waterfalls(the Aydınpınar system is the most accessible) and the mountain village of Karacawith a winter sports centre. The D-100 highway through the mountains between Düzce and Bolu is one of Turkey’s most scenic highland highway sections — especially in autumn when the beech and oak forest turns golden.
Western Black Sea in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Düzce
3Düzce is on the main Istanbul-Ankara D-100 highway, 200 km east of Istanbul (2.5 hrs by car or bus). Very frequent buses from Istanbul (Harem or Esenler terminals). Also on the main Istanbul-Ankara railway line — Düzce train station has YHT connections. Extremely easy to visit as a day trip from Istanbul or as a stopover on the Istanbul-eastern Turkey highway.
Düzce itself is a transit city rather than a destination, but Konuralp (Roman ruins, 5 km north) and Efteni Lake (10 km east) are genuine attractions. The Bolu mountain road and Abant Lake (in Bolu province, 50 km west) are commonly combined with a Düzce stop. For tourists on the Istanbul-Black Sea route, Düzce is a natural lunch or overnight stop.
On November 12, 1999 — just 89 days after the catastrophic Kocaeli (Marmara) earthquake — Düzce was struck by another M7.2 earthquake. The city was still recovering from the August earthquake's effects on the broader region. The two earthquakes together killed at least 19,000 people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. The Düzce earthquake killed approximately 1,000 in the province. A memorial park and informational museum have been established in the city.