Dikmen Tepesi poised to become global tourist attraction

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Dikmen Tepesi, perched at the intersection of Corum, Sinop, and Kastamonu provinces and elevated at 5,053 feet, is drawing global attention with its rich historical essence and potential as a travel hotspot. This ancient site is scattered with historical walls and is rich in relics like tombs and remnants of rooms, sparking a call from local scholars for immediate examination and preservation.

Hikmet Haberal, a professor at Kastamonu University’s Tourism Faculty, has been a vocal advocate for the site’s development into a significant tourist destination. He noted that Dikmen Tepesi offers commanding views over the surrounding landscape from its vantage point, 22 miles from the district center and merely 4 kilometers from the nearest village. Haberal highlighted that the historical structures, including walls that enclose spaces and tombs, showcase the area’s historical depth.

The professor is pushing for the transformation of Dikmen Tepesi into a tourism route, citing its rich mix of historical, cultural, and natural elements which make it an ideal location for activities like trekking and potentially, caravan tourism. The panoramic views that stretch all the way to the Black Sea add to the site’s allure, making it attractive to tourists worldwide.

However, concerns about the preservation of Dikmen Tepesi are growing, especially following damage inflicted by treasure hunters on some of the site’s historical artifacts. Haberal has made urgent calls for archaeologists and conservation specialists to undertake thorough studies to safeguard the site’s legacy for future generations. He stressed the importance of understanding and preserving the historical layers found at Dikmen Tepesi.

Local interactions have shed light on the area’s vibrant history during the Roman and Ottoman empires, suggesting that its past may stretch even further back. Haberal also mentioned significant environmental changes noted by the local community; an area that once had no forests has seen substantial forest growth over the last century, completely enveloping the site.

Haberal’s persistent advocacy emphasizes the necessity to protect and potentially develop Dikmen Tepesi into a sustainable tourism destination that respects and highlights its historical importance. With increasing interest from both local and international communities, there is an eager anticipation for what further archaeological studies may reveal about the secrets held within Dikmen Tepesi’s ancient walls.

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