? Discover the Timeless Charm of Trabzon: Journey through Hamsiköy, Sultan Murat Plateau, and Sera Lake – Where Nature Meets Ottoman Heritage

Nestled between the emerald shores of the Black Sea and the towering Pontic Mountains, three hidden gems await: Hamsiköy, a village preserving the secrets of Ottoman rural cuisine; the mystical Sultan Murat Plateau, steeped in tales of conquest; and the reflective waters of Sera Lake, a romantic mirror for eternal lovers. Visiting these places is not just a trip – it’s an entry into a living legend.

? Hamsiköy: A Living Museum of Nature – Where Every Grain of Rice Tells a Story

Hamsiköy lies in southern Trabzon, just a 45-minute drive through tea gardens and birch trees. Once a resting stop for Ottoman caravans in the 17th century, this mountain village has become a living canvas where locals still prepare their legendary “Sütlaç” (rice pudding) using copper pots, century-old techniques, and milk from cows that graze in the highlands.

Expert Tip: Don’t miss “Hekimbaşı Café,” serving the original Sütlaç recipe since 1893 – in copper bowls with cinnamon sourced from old Trabzon palaces!

⛰️ Sultan Murat Plateau: Where History Touches the Sky

The Sultan Murat Plateau is more than just a scenic highland – it’s an open-air chapter of Ottoman history. At 2,200 meters above sea level, it was once a resting point for Sultan Murad IV during his campaign to Tabriz in 1635. Today, the plateau turns into a lush green carpet in summer and a sparkling white kingdom in winter.

? Sera Lake: The Mirror of the Gods Reflecting Eternal Love

Just 10 km from bustling Trabzon, Sera Lake is a hidden emerald in the embrace of the mountains. Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, it transforms from misty gold in the morning to a shimmering mirror by sunset, and at night – it turns into a starlit dreamscape reflected on water.

Did You Know? The lake changes its color four times a day – emerald in the morning, blue at noon, golden at dusk, and silver by night due to rare minerals in the water!

"Trabzon is not just a travel destination... it’s a love story that begins with a visit and lasts forever."