Giresun Island is off the southeast Black Sea coast and the city of Giresun. The island is inhabited by birds, small animals and unique flora. For early Greeks it's Aretias, or the Island of Ares, war god. A ritual temple is erected on Giresun by the legendary Amazons.
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At 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from the coast, Giresun Island has an area of 4 ha (almost 10 acres). It's the largest island on the Turkish Black Sea coast with a maximum length of 320 m (1050 ft). Its coast is mostly rocky and steep. It's the only habitable island in the Eastern Black Sea.
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There are two natural bays found to the north-east and south-east, the latter being an adequate harbor for small boats. Archaeological excavations halted several years ago are restarting, as Giresun makes a request for World Heritage Site status.
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Scientists confirm the island has 71 species of natural herbaceous and woody plant species. Dominant plants are bay laurels (Laurus nobilis) and black locust or false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Cormorants and gulls breed on the island.
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Giresun shows signs of human use or occupation by the 2nd millennium BCE. Ruins include a roofless stone temple, an altar of pebbles, fortifications and two wine or oil presses. In the ancient world the temple is ascribed to the Amazons who are said to hold rituals there.
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A black round stone of c. 4 m (13 ft) diameter, called Hamza Taşı in Turkish, is on the island. Archaeologists suggest the stone is sacred to a Roman cult. It's used as a wishing stone for health, fertility and abundance. Spring women's rituals take place even today.
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The rock is also the starting point for a walk as part of the annual Aksu celebrations. An arts and culture event, Aksu Şenliği (Aksu Festival) occurs between 20 - 23 May. Until 1977 it's celebrated on a provincial and local level as Mayıs Yedisi (May 7).
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May 7, based on the Arabic Hegire Calendar, is equated with 20 May in the Julian calendar. In Turkish tradition it's an ancient fest day of shamanistic rituals. The name of Mayıs Yedisi is replaced with Aksu Festivali (Festival of Aksu) in 1992.
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Today it's celebrated as Uluslararası Karadeniz Giresun Aksu Festivali (International Giresun-Aksu Festival of Black Sea). The cultural event attracts participants from Black Sea countries such as Azerbaizhan, Georgia, Ukraine and Russia.
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Through history the island is known by various names including Aretias, Nesos and Areos. races of life since ancient times. Many legends, stories, folklore and myths are built around Giresun Island.
In 2021 the Governor says "The ruins of the city walls, churches, chapels, water wells and many tomb structures surrounding the island reveal the life and historical richness on the island." New excavations start on the island September / October 2024.
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Ancient Greek tales say the island is used by Amazons, fierce warrior women of legend, for fertility ceremonies centering on the now-ruined temple. Due to this association, Giresun Island is also called Amazon Adası ("Amazon Island" or "Island of the Amazons").
Giresun Island, under the alternative name Aretias Island, is part of The Argonautica, the epic poem by scholar Apollonius Rhodius set in c. 1300 BCE. In the tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece, the Argonauts have strange adventures on this island.
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Jason is told by a blind prophet:
" .... ye must beach your ship upon a smooth island, when ye have driven away with all manner of skill the ravening birds, which in countless numbers haunt the desert island. In it the Queens of the Amazons, Otrere and Antiope, built a stone temple of Ares ... "
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Via the Bosporus Strait, the Argonauts come to Aretias Island early in their quest for the Golden Fleece. Fierce birds with sharp beaks appear, shooting bronze and copper feathers. They're the Stymphalian Birds created by Ares.
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Unable to kill the birds, the Argonauts frighten them away by banging on shields and shouting. On the island, the Argonauts find four shipwrecked sailors. The sailors warn the adventurers of perils in the Caucasus which will endanger their quest.
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From the Argonautica:
"Then all together they went to the temple of Ares to offer sacrifice of sheep; and in haste they stood round the altar, which was outside the roofless temple, an altar built of pebbles; within a black stone stood fixed, a sacred thing, to which of yore the Amazons all used to pray. Nor was it lawful for them, when they came from the opposite coast, to burn on this altar offerings of sheep and oxen, but they used to slay horses which they kept in great herds."
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A legend of King Mithridates VI of Pontus takes place on Giresun Island. The King is angry with the princess his daughter. because she falls in love with a poor shepherd.
He imprisons her on the island and hangs the shepherd from a cherry tree in front of the prison tower. In grief, the princess commits suicide by hanging herself from the tower the next day.
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Giresun Island archaeological excavations of 2015-2017 uncover early ceramics, frescoes, and mosaics, Byzantine period coins, and many skeletons. In a release:
“Numerous remains and traces of life belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods have been found. The wall ruins surrounding the island and the ruins of the temple dated to the 2nd century AD, the church, chapel, water well, and many tomb structures ... reveal the cultural richness of the island.”
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According to the Governor, many discoveries have been unearthed on Amazon Island. He says,
"We will transform the island into an important tourism area by restoring the civil architecture with its walls, cisterns, chapels and living spaces to its former glory."
Early archaeological surveys reveal historical clues about its use. For the past few years the island has been closed due to adverse natural conditions.
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Epic poet Apollonius of Rhodes describes a temple of Ares, built by Amazons Otrera and Antiope on an island full of ravening birds. Today the Island of Giresun is a sanctuary for nesting and migrating birds.
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