Giresun's Ancient Past and Legends Regarding the Origin of Its Name
The origin of the name of Giresun, a historic city on the Black Sea, the story of the cherry's spread to the world, and its administrative transformation from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic are examined.
The name of Giresun, a city that stands out with the natural beauties and deep-rooted history of the Black Sea, harbors different legends extending from ancient times to the present day.
The Historical Origin of Giresun
Giresun, a city known for the lush plateaus and hazelnut orchards of the Black Sea, draws attention not only for its natural beauty but also for its history that stretches back centuries.
Having hosted many different civilizations from ancient times to the present, this settlement has possessed a rich cultural heritage throughout its history.
The Legend of the Cherry's Homeland
In the 1st century BC, the Roman commander Lucullus, who came to the Black Sea coast, liked the cherries growing in the region very much and took cherry saplings with him when he returned to Rome.
Thus, Giresun began to be known as one of the places from which the cherry spread to the world, and this fruit became recognized in different geographies.
Views on the Origin of the Name
Due to the abundance of wild cherry trees in the region, it is said that the city's name is derived from the word 'Kerasus', which means cherry in Greek.
On the other hand, it is also suggested that it comes from the word 'Keras', which means horn in Greek, because the peninsula where the city was founded extends toward the sea like a horn.
Name Changes Throughout History
Throughout history, the name of Giresun has been written in various forms in different languages and sources, such as Kerasus, Kerasous, and Kerasunt.
These names are shown as important parts of the historical process leading to today's name, Giresun.
Ottoman Rule and the Process of Becoming a Province
The city came under Ottoman rule in 1461 following Fatih Sultan Mehmet's conquest of Trabzon.
The region, which underwent various administrative arrangements during the Ottoman period, gained its current status as a province during the Republican era.
Official Name and University Records
According to the historical account of the Giresun University Turkish and Foreign Language Application and Research Center, the city officially took the name Giresun in 1930.