KASTAMONU

Kastamonu is a province with the same name located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. The province attracts attention with its rich historical and cultural heritage. Here is the general view of Kastamonu:
The mayor of Kastamonu is Rahmi Galip Vidinlioğlu and the administrative structure of the province is managed by the mayor, like other provinces of Turkey.
The total surface area of the province is 13,108 km² and its altitude is 780 meters above sea level. The city was founded in the valley of Karaçomak Stream, a branch of Gökırmak.
Kastamonu is one of the oldest cities in Anatolia and has a rich history dating from ancient times to the present day. There are historical buildings and artifacts such as Kastamonu Castle, Atabey Mosque, Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli Tomb, Nasrullah Mosque. There is also Turkey's first "Urban History Museum" in the city.
Kastamonu's pulled halva and garlic are famous throughout the country. These local flavors enrich the city's culinary culture.
There are various opinions on the origin of the name Kastamonu. It is thought to be derived from the name "Kastama" from the Hittite period. It is also thought that it may have been derived from the combination of the words "Gas" and "Tumanna" or the words "Kastra" and "Komnen".
Kastamonu has been under the influence of many civilizations throughout history. It has been a region where different civilizations such as the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians and Persians ruled. After coming under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire, this sovereignty continued until 1922.
The Black Sea climate and the continental climate of Central Anatolia are seen in the province. Precipitation is higher in coastal areas and forest areas are concentrated in these regions. There are tree species such as beech, pine and elm in the forests.
In addition to being an important city of Turkey in terms of history and culture, Kastamonu also attracts attention with its natural beauties and rich vegetation.
Kastamonu, also known as the city of saints, is one of the oldest cities in Anatolia and has many historical artifacts from the ancient and Turkish-Islamic period. There are many historical monuments such as Kastamonu Castle, Atabey Mosque, Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli Tomb, Yanık Sultan Tomb, Nasrullah Mosque, clock tower and so on. Mahmut Bey Mosque, which was built as a nailless structure, is also here. There is also the first "Urban History Museum" opened in Turkey in Kastamonu city centre.

Kastamonu Clock Tower, Sultan II. It was built in 1884-1885 by Abdurrahman Nureddin Pasha, one of the Governors of Kastamonu, on the slope in the east of the city, during the reign of Abdulhamid. The tower's clock was also brought from Europe.

The pulled halva and Kastamonu garlic made in Kastamonu are famous throughout the country.

Etymology
There are many ideas about the derivation of the name Kastamonu;

According to one view, the city of Kastamonu took its name from the name Kastama, which was used for the same region during the Hittite period. The name Kastama turned into Kastamonu over time.[1]

According to another view, the city of Kastamonu took its name from the combination of the words Gas and Tumanna. Gaslar, or better known as Kaşkalar, are among the first settlers of Kastamonu. Tumanna is the name of a city/region located on Kastamonu at that time. The combination of these two words took the form of Kastamonu over time.[2]

According to a third opinion, the city of Kastamonu took its name from the combination of the words Kastra and Komnen. The word Kastra means "castle" in Latin. The Komnens are a Byzantine Dynasty and the settlers of this region during the Byzantine period. These two words took the form of Kastamonu over time.[3]

history
Prehistoric
As a result of research conducted in Kastamonu between 1947 and 1948, a tool made of flint was found around the Gölköy Institute, and it was learned that this tool dates from the Middle Paleolithic period.[4]

As a result of the research conducted in 1951, hand axes from the Abevilian (Chelléen) and Mycoquian ages were found around Tahta and Malak villages; Historical findings from the Mousterian and, suspectedly, the Upper Paleolithic were discovered.[4]

Again in the same years, as a result of his travels, İsmail Kılıç Kökten came across Obelisks in the Axis region of Devrekani (around the current Kulaksızlar Dam), but could not find any artifacts that could be dated. However, pottery from the Copper Age was found in the northwest of the region.[4]

Kaskas
Kaşkas, (Gašga, Kašga, Kaška in Hittite texts; Kškš in Ramses II inscriptions, māt Kašku (Annals of Sargon) in Assyrian sources, ktk in Ugaritic language) During the times when the Hittites ruled in Anatolia, they lived together with the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Syrians, and others, who were considered the most powerful nations of the east. It is a tribe that has always had political and commercial relations with the Hittites and even fought with them for many years and had them accept their national existence and power. With the end of the Hittite State around 1200 BC, the opportunity arose for the Kashkas to go south. According to Neo-Assyrian sources, the lands ruled by the Kashkas extended to Mushki in the west, Urartu in the east, and Tabal in the south.

Hittites
Hittites' continuous rule around Kastamonu