Gümüşhane — 'silver house' — takes its name from the Byzantine and Ottoman silver mines that made it prosperous for centuries. When the mines declined, the old city was largely abandoned; the ruins of Old Gümüşhane and its churches stand in a valley below the modern city.
The Zigana Mountain pass on the Trabzon–Erzurum road is one of the most dramatic in Turkey, frequently snow-covered and foggy, giving the landscape a mythological quality. Karanlık (Dark) Canyon and Tomara waterfall are the province's natural highlights.
Known for: Zigana Mountain pass · Old Gümüşhane silver mines · Karanlık Canyon · Pestil fruit leather · Mountain scenery
- Region
- Black Sea
- Famous for
- Zigana pass & silver heritage
- Best seasons
- Jun–Sep
- Produce
- Pestil & köme fruit leather
Gümüşhane on the live map
Explore Gümüşhane and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Gümüşhane is known for
Old Gümüşhane's ruins — abandoned mosques, churches and houses — are atmospheric and easily visited. Tomara waterfall drops in a dramatic cascade near Kürtün; Karanlık Canyon offers a gorge walk. The local pestil (grape/mulberry fruit leather) and köme (walnut sweet) are distinctive Black Sea specialities.
- Old Gümüşhane — abandoned silver-mining ghost town.
- Zigana Mountain pass — dramatic high-altitude scenery.
- Tomara Waterfall and Karanlık Canyon.
- Pestil & köme — local fruit leather and walnut sweet.
Getting around
Gümüşhane is 2.5 hours from Trabzon, 4 from Erzurum by road. A car is needed for the canyon and waterfalls.
On the platform
Gümüşhane is joining Türkiye Gez as we expand into a Turkey-wide city intelligence platform. This guide is the launch foundation — live transport data, an interactive map and deeper neighborhood content roll out city by city, on the same architecture that powers Istanbul today.
Frequently asked questions
About Gümüşhane
1Old Gümüşhane silver-mining ruins, the dramatic Zigana mountain pass, Tomara waterfall, Karanlık Canyon and local pestil fruit leather.