Last updated on December 20, 2023.

İnebolu is a small port town on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. I visited on a day trip from nearby Kastamonu. The city sits right on the Black Sea with gorgeous scenery in either direction, with the green mountains meeting the blue sea. 

 

History

In ancient times, the city was founded by the Greeks as Tíhos (Τείχος) in the Paphlagonia (Παφλαγονία) region. The name later changed to Ionópoli (Ιωνόπολη), from which the modern name is derived.

İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu

The town is divided by a dried-up river with most of the important parts on the east bank, including the main square.

İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu
İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu

 

Ottoman Buildings

İnebolu is small and compact with some pleasant cobblestoned alleyways. Ottoman buildings are mixed in with modern ones and give the city a little flair.

İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu

 

Weapons Smuggling

İnebolu really doesn’t have any star attractions but it embraces its recent history very proudly. It played a significant role in the Turkish War of Independence as a weapons smuggling depot. Arms and ammunition were taken there by sea from Istanbul and then smuggled overland to Kastamonu. When the town was attacked in 1921, it put up a great resistance. There are a few monuments scattered throughout town that pay homage to the brave townspeople who aided the war effort. You can even find old weapons smuggling boats outside the museum.

Monument to weapons smugglers in İnebolu, Turkey
Monument to weapons smugglers
Monument to weapons smugglers in İnebolu, Turkey
Monument to weapons smugglers
Boats used to smuggle weapons in İnebolu, Turkey
Boats used to smuggle weapons

 

Turkish Hearth

The museum, Turkish Hearth (Türk Ocağı), serves as an ethnographic museum. It’s also an important landmark from İnebolu’s other claim to fame, the Hat Law. A monument of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk outside of the building marks the spot where he officially proclaimed the Hat Law outlawing the fez on August 27, 1925. The Hat Law is also commemorated on a sign in the city.

Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Turkish Hearth
Atatürk hat law monument at Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Atatürk hat law monument
Hat law sign in İnebolu, Turkey
Hat law sign

In addition to the ethnographic exhibits, there are displays and photos commemorating the Hat Law event. The building itself was built in 1912 and was restored in 2006. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Turkish Hearth
Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Turkish Hearth
Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Household items at the Turkish Hearth
Türk Ocağı in İnebolu, Turkey
Hat Law display

 

Up the Hill

If you follow the road up the hill behind the Turkish Hearth, you’ll find yourself in a residential district with stunning views of the town and the coastline.

İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu
İnebolu, Turkey
İnebolu

 

The Drive from Kastamonu

A couple hours or less is all that’s needed to see İnebolu, but the scenery during the drive from Kastamonu is one of the highlights, as the road winds up and around green forested mountains.

The road from Kastamonu to İnebolu, Turkey
The road from Kastamonu

The road is a national historic road called the Atatürk and Independence Way (Atatürk ve İstiklal Yolu), in honor of the weapons smugglers who used the very same route.

Atatürk ve İstiklal Yolu from Kastamonu to İnebolu, Turkey
Atatürk and Independence Way

 

Bus Terminal

İnebolu’s bus terminal is a bit of a hike south of town. It sits on a road along the west bank of the river. Expect about a 15 to 20 minute walk. There’s a small restaurant at the bus terminal with a couple companies selling tickets to Kastamonu. From Kastamonu, there are a few buses daily from the bus terminal.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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