Ordu

Kotyora, the original name of the city is a legacy of indigenous Colchians. The name is allegedly composed of an old Laz language word for pottery ('Koto', similar to Mingrelian 'Koto', Georgian 'Kotani' and Laz 'Katana') and a common Kartvelian suffix indicating belonging ('Uri'). In Zan (aka Colchian) Kotyora means a place where pottery is made.Özhan Öztürk. Pontus, Antikçağ'dan Günümüze Karadeniz'in Etnik ve Siyasi Tarihi, Genesis Yayınları. Ankara 2011, S.492 This point is supported with several other Kartvelian place names existing in the region as well as the region itself historically being known as Djanik (Djani being another name for Laz).Özhan Öztürk. Pontus, Antikçağ'dan Günümüze Karadeniz'in Etnik ve Siyasi Tarihi. Genesis Yayınları. Ankara 2011. S.566 The city was also historically known as Cotyora or Kotyora ({{langx|pnt|Κοτύωρα}}).

The contemporary name of Ordu meaning 'army camp' in Ottoman Turkish was adopted during the Ottoman Empire because of an army outpost being located near the present day city.

File:Ordu-osmanli-kotyora.jpg

File:OrduSeaside.jpg

In the 8th century BC, Cotyora (Κοτύωρα) was founded by the Miletians as one of a string of colonies along the Black Sea coast. Diodorus Siculus wrote that it was a colony of the Sinopians.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0060.tlg001.perseus-grc3:14.31 Diodorus Siculus, Library, § 14.31.1]

Xenophon's Anabasis relates that the Ten Thousand rested there for 45 days before embarking for home.

Olshausen, Eckart, "Cotyora" in Brill's New Pauly, Antiquity {{doi|10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e621460}}Anabasis V.5.3fEncyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition, s.v. Ordu Strabo also mentions it.XII.3.17 Under Pharnaces I of Pontus, Cotyora was united in a synoikismos with Cerasus.

Arrian, in the Periplus of the Euxine Sea (131 CE), describes it as a village "and not a large one."16.3 Translated in Arrian: Periplus Ponti Euxini, edited and translated by Aidan Liddle (London: Bristol Classical Press, 2003), p. 75 Suda mentioned that it was also called Cytora (Κύτωρα).[https://topostext.org/work/240#al.3917 Suda, ka.2170]

The area came under the control of the Danishmends, then the Seljuk Turks in 1214 and 1228, and the Hacıemiroğulları Beylik in 1346. Afterwards, it passed to the dominion of the Ottomans in 1461 along with the Empire of Trebizond.{{cite web |url=http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/ordu-tarihi.htm |title=Ordu ili tarihi |website=www.karalahana.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513134407/http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/ordu-tarihi.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}

The modern city was founded by the Ottomans as Bayramlı near Eskipazar as a military outpost {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=on}} west of Ordu.

In 1869, the city's name was changed to Ordu and it was united with the districts of Bolaman, Perşembe, Ulubey, Hansamana (Gölköy), and Aybastı. At the turn of the 20th century, the city was more than half Christian (Greek and Armenian), and was known for its Greek schools.

On 4 April 1921, Ordu province was created by separating from Trebizond Vilayet.{{cite web |url=http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/ordu.htm |title=Karadeniz Ansiklopedisi: Ordu maddesi |website=www.karalahana.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507120833/http://www.karalahana.com/karadeniz/ordu.htm |archive-date=7 May 2005 |url-status=dead}}

In 2016, archaeologist discovered a marble statue of Cybele. In 2018, at the same site, they also discovered sculptures of Pan and Dionysus.[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/photo-dionysus-pan-sculptures-found-at-site-of-2-100-year-old-goddess-kybele-in-northern-turkey-135243#photo-1 Dionysus, Pan sculptures found at site of 2,100-year-old goddess Kybele in northern Turkey] In 2021, archaeologists complained because a stone quarry used dynamite destroying some of the rock tombs.[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-castle-under-threat-of-quarry-164121 Ancient castle under threat of quarry]

In December 2021, archaeologists announced 1600 year-old eight tombs in the Kurtulus district of Ordu. Researchers also uncovered human and animal remains, many pieces of jewelry made of gold, sardine stone, silver, glass, and bronze, a glass bottle and beads.{{Cite web|title=4th-century tombs unearthed near Turkey's Black Sea coast|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/4th-century-tombs-unearthed-near-turkeys-black-sea-coast/2456773|access-date=19 February 2022|website=www.aa.com.tr}}{{Cite web|title=1,600-Year-Old Tombs Uncovered in Northern Turkey - Archaeology Magazine|url=https://www.archaeology.org/news/10262-220103-black-sea-tombs#:~:text=1,600-Year-Old%20Tombs%20Uncovered%20in%20Northern%20Turkey%20-%20Archaeology%20Magazine&text=ORDU,%20TURKEY%E2%80%94The%20Anadolu%20Agency,northern%20Turkey%27s%20Black%20Sea%20coast.|access-date=19 February 2022|website=www.archaeology.org}} In the same area researchers unearthed a Byzantine monastery church and they determined it was dedicated to the Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena.{{Cite web|title=Archeologists discover Byzantine abbey in Ordu|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/archeologists-discover-byzantine-abbey-in-ordu-186812|access-date=6 October 2023|website=www.hurriyetdailynews.org}}

File:Orducitycenter3.jpg

The Sağra factory shop, selling many varieties of chocolate-covered hazelnuts, is one of the town's attractions.

The Boztepe aerial tramway is another popular attraction which is set to become a modern symbol for the city.

Local music is typical of the Black Sea region, including the kemençe. The cuisine is primarily based on local vegetables and includes both typical Turkish dishes — such as pide and kebab — and more interesting fare such as plain or caramel 'burnt ice-cream'.

Ordu is one of the provinces where hazelnuts are grown the most in Turkey.{{Cite news|work=Gazete Banka|date=21 November 2021|title=Döviz düşerken fındık fiyatı da düştü|url=https://gazetebanka.com/doviz-duserken-findik-fiyati-da-dustu/11369/|access-date=21 November 2021}} Ordu is famous for hazelnuts, producing about 25 percent of the worldwide crop. The province relies on the crop for up to 80% of its economic activity.

Turkey as a whole produces about 75 percent of the world's hazelnuts.{{cite web |last1=Schwartzstein |first1=Peter |title=This small Turkish town grows a quarter of the world's hazelnuts |url=https://qz.com/483551/this-small-turkish-town-grows-a-quarter-of-the-worlds-hazelnuts/ |website=Quartz |access-date=7 March 2020 |language=en |date=22 August 2015}} As of 1920, Ordu was one of the few producers of white green beans, which were exported to Europe.{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=W.G.|title=Armenia and Kurdistan|year=1920|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|location=London|page=62|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11768/view/1/62/}} Ordu also had mulberry tree plantations for sericulture.{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=W.G.|title=Armenia and Kurdistan|year=1920|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|location=London|page=64|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11768/view/1/64/}} Today, the city is partially industrialized and a member of the Anatolian Tigers with its 7 companies.

• Paşaoğlu Konağı and Ethnographic museum – an ethnographic museum.
• Taşbaşı Cultural Centre – a cultural centre
• Boztepe – a hill of {{convert|550|m|ft|abbr=on}} overlooking the town from the west. Since June 2012, an aerial lift system provides an easy way of transportation between the city's coastline and the hilltop. The Ordu Boztepe Gondola can transport hourly 900 passengers up to the hilltop in 6.5 minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.leitner-ropeways.com/en/company/references/gd8-ordu-boztepe-714/|title=GD8 Ordu-Boztepe – References – Company – LEITNER ropeways|website=Leitner-ropeways.com|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329051806/https://www.leitner-ropeways.com/en/company/references/gd8-ordu-boztepe-714/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.erzurumflas.com/tatilden-dersler-aldik.html |newspaper=Erzurum Flaş |title=Tatilden dersler aldık |date=27 August 2013 |language=tr |access-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113142652/http://www.erzurumflas.com/tatilden-dersler-aldik.html |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}
• Old Houses of Ordu in the old city center
• Yalı Camii, also called Aziziye Camii – a mosque
• Atik İbrahim Paşa Camii, also called Orta Cami – a mosque built in 1770
• Eski Pazar Camii – a mosque with adjoining Turkish baths
• Efirli Camii – a mosque
• Cape Jason is an Archaeological site and a small peninsula facing the sea. Its name is derived from the Mythological leader Jason of the Argonauts.

The city is the home of the Orduspor football club. Its base is the 19 Eylül Stadium in the heart of the city. Orduspor football team has played in the Super League of Turkey several seasons. The club also has a basketball team.

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Turkey}}

Ordu is twinned with:

File:Ordu_taşbaşı_kilisesi.jpg

• {{flagicon|GEO}} Batumi, Georgia, since 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.batumi.ge/en/?page=show&sec=5|title=Batumi – Twin Towns & Sister Cities|access-date=10 August 2013|work=Batumi City Hall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504220350/http://www.batumi.ge/en/?page=show&sec=5|archive-date=4 May 2012}}
• {{flagicon|AZE}} Ganja, Azerbaijan, since 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.azerbaijans.com/content_1719_en.html|title=Twin-cities of Azerbaijan|access-date=9 August 2013|work=Azerbaijans.com}}
• {{flagicon|TUR}} Marmaris, Turkey, since 2021
• {{flagicon|HUN}} Zugló, Hungary, since 2025

Ordu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa, Trewartha: Cf), like most of the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. It experiences warm summers, cool winters, and plentiful precipitation throughout the year, which is heaviest in autumn and winter.

Snowfall is occasional between the months of December and March, snowing for a week or two, and it can be heavy once it snows.

The water temperature, like in the rest of the Black Sea coast of Turkey, is always cool and fluctuates between {{convert|8|and|20|C|F}} throughout the year.

{{Weather box

|metric first= Yes

|single line= Yes

|location= Ordu (1991–2020, extremes 1959–present)

|Jan record high C = 25.8

|Feb record high C = 28.3

|Mar record high C = 34.8

|Apr record high C = 36.8

|May record high C = 35.6

|Jun record high C = 37.3

|Jul record high C = 37.1

|Aug record high C = 36.3

|Sep record high C = 36.4

|Oct record high C = 34.2

|Nov record high C = 32.4

|Dec record high C = 29.7

|year record high C = 37.3

|Jan high C = 11.2

|Feb high C = 11.4

|Mar high C = 12.8

|Apr high C = 15.4

|May high C = 19.8

|Jun high C = 24.8

|Jul high C = 27.7

|Aug high C = 28.5

|Sep high C = 25.2

|Oct high C = 21.1

|Nov high C = 16.7

|Dec high C = 13.2

|year high C = 19.0

|Jan mean C = 7.3

|Feb mean C = 7.2

|Mar mean C = 8.7

|Apr mean C = 11.5

|May mean C = 16.1

|Jun mean C = 21.0

|Jul mean C = 23.9

|Aug mean C = 24.5

|Sep mean C = 21.0

|Oct mean C = 17.0

|Nov mean C = 12.3

|Dec mean C = 9.1

|year mean C = 15.0

|Jan low C = 4.4

|Feb low C = 4.2

|Mar low C = 5.7

|Apr low C = 8.5

|May low C = 13.0

|Jun low C = 17.4

|Jul low C = 20.4

|Aug low C = 21.1

|Sep low C = 17.6

|Oct low C = 13.9

|Nov low C = 9.1

|Dec low C = 6.2

|year low C = 11.8

|Jan record low C = -7.2

|Feb record low C = -6.7

|Mar record low C = -4.7

|Apr record low C = -1.4

|May record low C = 3.4

|Jun record low C = 8.4

|Jul record low C = 12.6

|Aug record low C = 13.0

|Sep record low C = 8.2

|Oct record low C = 2.5

|Nov record low C = -1.5

|Dec record low C = -3.2

|year record low C = -7.2

|Jan precipitation mm = 108.4

|Feb precipitation mm = 84.9

|Mar precipitation mm = 86.8

|Apr precipitation mm = 66.5

|May precipitation mm = 61.5

|Jun precipitation mm = 70.3

|Jul precipitation mm = 58.5

|Aug precipitation mm = 67.9

|Sep precipitation mm = 88.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 134.9

|Nov precipitation mm = 128.8

|Dec precipitation mm = 109.2

|year precipitation mm = 1066.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation days = 15.03

|Feb precipitation days = 14.13

|Mar precipitation days = 16.63

|Apr precipitation days = 14.37

|May precipitation days = 13.63

|Jun precipitation days = 11.37

|Jul precipitation days = 9.63

|Aug precipitation days = 9.80

|Sep precipitation days = 12.63

|Oct precipitation days = 15.07

|Nov precipitation days = 13.07

|Dec precipitation days = 14.70

|year precipitation days = 160.1

|Jan humidity=66.8

|Feb humidity=67.8

|Mar humidity=70.9

|Apr humidity=73.7

|May humidity=74.8

|Jun humidity=71.1

|Jul humidity=70.5

|Aug humidity=70.9

|Sep humidity=71.6

|Oct humidity=73.4

|Nov humidity=69.0

|Dec humidity=66.7

|year humidity=70.6

|Jan sun = 71.3

|Feb sun = 84.8

|Mar sun = 99.2

|Apr sun = 135.0

|May sun = 170.5

|Jun sun = 195.0

|Jul sun = 189.1

|Aug sun = 186.0

|Sep sun = 150.0

|Oct sun = 120.9

|Nov sun = 102.0

|Dec sun = 68.2

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 2.3

|Febd sun = 3.0

|Mard sun = 3.2

|Aprd sun = 4.5

|Mayd sun = 5.5

|Jund sun = 6.5

|Juld sun = 6.1

|Augd sun = 6.0

|Sepd sun = 5.0

|Octd sun = 3.9

|Novd sun = 3.4

|Decd sun = 2.2

|yeard sun = 4.3

|source 1 = Turkish State Meteorological Service{{cite web

| url = https://www.mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?k=H&m=ORDU

| title = Resmi İstatistikler: İllerimize Ait Mevism Normalleri (1991–2020)

| publisher = Turkish State Meteorological Service

| language = tr

| access-date = 3 October 2023}}

|source 2 = NOAA (humidity){{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Turkiye/CSV/Bursa_17116.csv

| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Bursa

| publisher = National centers for Environmental Information |format=CSV

| access-date = 2 August 2023}}

}}

• Gülşen – singer
• Ertuğrul Günay – politician who is a former Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey)
• Kadir İnanır – actor
• İdris Naim Şahin - politician
• Mehmet Hilmi Güler – politician who was Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and current mayor of the Ordu Province.
• Numan Kurtulmuş – politician
• Terzi Fikri – communist politician and old Fatsa mayor.
• Kamil Sönmez – Black Sea region at Turkish folk music artist
• Soner Arıca – musician
• Erdoğan Arıca – footballer
• Stelios Kazantzidis- singer

{{See also|Mayor|Metropolitan municipality}}

• 1977-1980 and 1984-1994 Kazım Türkmen CHP, SODEP, SHP
• 1994-2004 Fikret Türkyılmaz ANAP, MHP
• 2004-2014 Seyit Torun DSP, CHP
• 2014-2018 Enver Yılmaz AK Party
• 2018-2019 Engin Tekintaş AK Party
• 2019-present Hilmi Güler AK Party

• Orduspor
• 52 Orduspor
• Orduspor 1967

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.ordu.bel.tr/ Municipality of Ordu]
• [http://pontosworld.com/index.php/pontus/regions/165-kotiora-ordu Kotiora (Ordu)]

{{Districts of Turkey|provname=Ordu}}

{{Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Ordu Province

Category:Black Sea port cities and towns in Turkey

Category:Populated coastal places in Turkey