Silent Witness at the Summit of Inebolu: Geriş Hill on the Axis of Nature, History and Memory
Located just 5 kilometers south of Inebolu city center, 495 meters above sea level, Geriş Hill offers its visitors not only a visual feast but also a deep historical confrontation. This dominant hill, where green and blue embrace, harbors a shocking story that extends from the multicultural past of the city to the most critical days of the War of Independence.
A Nature Route at the Intersection of Green and Blue
Geriş Hill is a great trekking route for those who want to get away from the noise of the city and integrate with nature. The scent of dozens of different wildflowers and the chirping of birds accompany you with every step you take towards the hill. When you reach the summit, you are greeted with a perfect painting as if it had come from the brush of a master painter: The green sea of the forest on one side and the endless blue of the Black Sea on the other... Here, you can enjoy living in the moment against the panoramic view of the city while breathing in the fresh air and abundant oxygen.
Monastic Ruins and Majestic Fairs
When we take a journey into the past of Geriş Hill, we see how special a center of faith this place was for the Greek people living in the region in the past. The ruins of the Greek Orthodox monastery on the hill are silent witnesses of the past existence of the structure.
According to historical accounts, this area was not only a religious center but also a vibrant social space. Every year on August 15th, a big fair was organized here, with the participation of Greeks from different regions, and festivities were held.
A Headquarters in the Face of the National Struggle
What makes the story of Geriş Hill so striking is the dark role it played during the years of the War of Independence. During that critical period when the Turkish nation was struggling for its existence, this monastery was used as an operation and coordination center by the Pontic Greek Community.
While Inebolu was the starting point of the logistics line, which was the lifeblood of the liberation of Anatolia from occupation, the Greek Gangs organized in this monastery right on its hill collaborated with the occupation forces, leaked strategic information and persecuted the Muslim people. This center has been one of the important Pontus centers that directed the Greek gangs that organized against the National Struggle in Anatolia, raided villages, committed massacres and attacked ammunition transport lines.
For this reason, Geriş Hill is a historical site that needs to be told in a powerful way in order to understand one of the invisible fronts of our National Struggle history and to grasp the difficulties of this glorious resistance.
Protecting Cultural Heritage
Today, there is a heartbreaking view in front of this historical and natural richness. Unfortunately, Geriş Hill is in a very neglected state. While the garbage left by visitors casts a shadow on the natural beauty of the area, the unique historical ruins are about to disappear among the thorns and bushes.
Considering that İnebolu has the potential of an open-air museum, it is imperative that Geriş Hill finds the value it deserves within the cultural and historical tourism route of the city. Cleaning and rehabilitating this important area by the authorities and volunteers as soon as possible is both our debt of loyalty to history and a requirement of a sustainable tourism vision.
Geriş Hill is waiting for everyone who wants to find peace in the heart of nature, trace the traces of the past and feel the spirit of the National Struggle. But above all, it is waiting for a helping hand to tell its own story.