Locals hope to lure tourists to Gideros

KASTAMONU - Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s hidden bay in Kastamonu’s Cide, Gideros is an area that was inhabited 3,500 years ago by Amazons, the female warriors of antiquity. DHA Photo

Local officials are working hard to attract tourists to Turkey’s hidden bay, Gideros, in the Black Sea province of Kastamonu’s Cide coast, an area that was inhabited 3,500 years ago by Amazons, the female warriors of antiquity.

A crescent-shaped-walkway surrounded by trees will be one of the main projects to make Gideros the country’s latest up-and-coming tourist destination, said Cide Mayor Nejdet Demir, adding that he wants to illuminate the bay at night so tourists can see its beauty “around the clock.”   

Although the Black Sea tides are often quite rough, the water in the bay is so clear that even fish can be seen swimming in the bay, Demir said, adding that the blue waters of the bay were surrounded by green hills sloping down to the shoreline. “Little ships are able to hide in this bay when the sea goes wild,” Demir said, adding that he thought tourists would be delighted by the new crescent-shaped-walkway.

Unlike southern Turkey’s tourist city of Antalya, Gideros, located north of the city of Kastamonu, is untouched, unknown and less expensive.

Once used by pirates and smugglers, the bay is also of Turkey’s protected archeological sites. It has been inhabited by various tribes since ancient times, and has been mentioned, under its previous name, Cytorus, by Homer in the Iliad. The name of Cide itself is thought to possibly derive from Cytorus.

The mayor said he hopes Gideros does not stay undiscovered for long. The area, he said, is waiting to entice visitors from around the world with its natural beauty.