Santa Ruins
The Santa Ruins in Gümüşhane are among Türkiye’s most impressive historical settlements. Founded by the Anatolian Greeks in the 17th century, this ancient settlement resembles a village, standing out with its stone houses, churches, and fountains. Located in the village of Dumanlı in Gümüşhane, the area developed as an important mining center and carries traces of settlements from various periods to the present day. The Santa Ruins, with their architectural structures spread across mountainous terrain, offer visitors both the natural beauty of the Black Sea region and the rich history of the area. It is thought that the settlement where the ruins are located was founded by the Greeks in the 17th century. Five thousand people lived in this region, which was at its peak in the 19th century. Santa, where the first settlements began in the Middle Ages, is an ancient Greek city with historical charm.