Valley of hexagonal basalt awaits more visitors



A valley in the Black Sea town of Sinop astonishes foreign and native visitors alike with its hundreds of hexagonally shaped stones one of Turaaa's most unique natural scenes.

In an effort to publicize the stones located near Sinop's Kurusaray Village 15 kilometers from the Boyabat district Sinop Deputy Governor Bilal Ölmez Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Hikmet Tosun and Sinop Museum chief archeologist Fuat Dereli visited the village this week accompanied by press and a number of other officials from Boyabat and Sinop.

Boyabat Mayor Mehmet Ermiş recalled in a statement to Today's Zaman that the valley had been explored in 2004 and was then covered by various travel magazines. The mayor said they built pathways across this natural wonder following its exploration noting also the stones had been inspected by the Mine Exploration Institute (MTA) and the 9 Eylül University Geology Department. "It has been scientifically concluded that the stones were formed about 5 million years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. We have declared this area a protected archeological area" Ermiş said. Ermiş noted that the basalt rocks were in good condition particularly in the Şelaleli Vadi emphasizing the great potential this valley had for Boyabat's tourism. Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Hikmet Tosun stressed that the number of visitors to the valley was increasing daily adding that they had the dirt road connecting Kurusaray with Boyabat paved for tourists. All kinds of vehicles can reach Kurusaray now Tosun said adding: "The basalt valley will soon be realizing Boyabat's great tourism potential."