The story of Heraclea Pontica

The ancient Greeks believed Heracles entered the underworld through a cave on the Acherusian headland right beside this city, and so the city took his name. Heraclea Pontica was founded around 560-558 BC by the Greek city-state of Megara, at the mouth of the Lycus river on the coast of Bithynia. Its colonists soon subdued the local Mariandyni, and fertile land plus fishing from its natural harbour made it rich quickly; it even founded colonies of its own around the Black Sea.

The philosopher Heraclides Ponticus was born here. Later the city was part of the Eastern Roman Empire for more than 1000 years. After 1261 the Genoese had a colony here, turned it into an important trading centre and held it until the Ottomans took it after 1453. Look up at the ruined castle on the hill above the town: it survives from that Genoese period.

Today Karadeniz Ereğlisi stands on the ancient site.