Have you ever visited a place where you felt that time has stopped;

where you have felt that you are in 17th century;

where you have felt that nature has defied all the intrusion of technology;

where you have felt that nature and man are one???

              Well I had such an experience

Gümüşhane in Turkey was such a place where me and my friends got lost in a fairy tale. It is a city in  Gümüşhane  district in the Black Sea region of Turkey. This whole city is located alongside Harşit river meandering through the mountains. If you have heard of Trabzon then you are close to this place.

Why is it special?

This region was part of Byzantine empire during Roman era. Owing to the historical affiliation, it has ruins of monasteries, mosques and castles.

This is an Armenian Monastary, that still holds a magical atmosphere once you are inside.

Photo Credits: Godil

It is more like a valley surrounded by mountains. you can think that all the mountains and valleys are same. But you have to visit to actually feel the presence of another era.

Photo credit: Murat Yazici

The rustic architecture is still Rustic with mud thatched walls and ancient ways of living.

Photo credit: Dogal Usak Metin

The geological formations of limestone in the caves make it more of magical place.

Photo credit: Godil

All I can say is that it was a transforming experience. We spent a night near a running stream in camps. Those sounds, those stars and those feelings were indescribable.

A pure spiritual experience!!!

Of course, I will appreciate your comments :)