HISTORY

Excavations in and around Tekkeköy revealed settlements since the Palaeolithic age, dated to 600.000 to 100.000 BC. Layers from hittite and phrygian periods are followed by remnants of persian, roman, byzantine and selchuk rules. There was a considerable greek population in Tekkeköy when it was conquered by ottomans in 1399 and a peaceful coexistence continued until the turkish independence war.

The greeks here were exchanged with the turks in Western Thrace under the Lausanne peace treaty.

GEOGRAPHY

Tekkeköy was constructed at the point where the stream bearing the same name joins Çarşamba plain. It is bordered by Black sea in the north, Çarşamba in the east and south and Asarcık in the west.

CLIMATE

Central Black Sea climate prevails in the region with warm and moist summers, mild winters and rainy springs and falls. Average of august temperature is 25oC and that of january is 7oC.

SOCIO -ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

Agriculture and animal-raising are among important economic activities. As one-third of the territory is made up of Yeşilırmak river delta, irrigated farming is quite expanded and tobacco is the most important single income-earner and vegetables produced are shipped to neighbouring areas.

The Black Sea Copper Enterprise and Fertiliser Factory have introduced a considerable economic vivacity to the region.

The State Experimental Farm established at Gelemen, sprawling over 46.000 hectares, support the farmers with selectioned seeds, saplings and poultry parent stocks.

The airport under construction in Gelemen will give an added impetus to the regional economic development.

TRANSPORTATION

There is road and rail access to Samsun which is 14 kilometres away. Vehicles are available at all times of the day.

SIGHTSEEING

Early bronze age and hittite remnants were found at Tekkeköy. Buff and scarlet pottery abound in the mounds. Excavated tombs were dated to early bronze age. Corpses were buried with skillets, pottery and vases with human face reliefs, knives and swords.

Among other interesting sights are the Tekkeköy caves. They were formed by broadening the existing natural caves and cisterns, stairs and rooms were created. There are even signs suggesting that ships were moored inside these caves before the coast was filled with alluvium brought by Yeşilırmak river. In fact, the caves are now four kilometres inland.

Mosques, chapels and shrines are among other interesting places to be visited together with the Costal beach where the forest joins the sea.

Spring festivals are held every year on the 6th of may with music, dance and wrestling matches.

OVERNIGHTING AND MEALS

Çavuşoğlu tourist hotel is just at Tekkeköy bifurcation of the interstate highway. Many restaurants are available in the town. Rice with goose meat, pittas and oven roasted lamb are among the local specialities. Sardines enter many recipes.