The Roman Lucius Licinius Lucullus captured the seaport in 70 BC, and the city was nearly destroyed by fire. In November 1853, shortly after the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Russian navy dramatically attacked Sinop , destroying the Ottoman fleet and reducing large parts of the city to ashes. A 13th-century Al iye religious school now houses the local museum. Sinop is linked by road with Samsun and by sea with Istanbul. The hinterland around Sinop is drained by the G k River and is mountainous and partly forested.
Agriculture employs most of the labour force.
Sinop is the most beautiful natural harbor the Black Sea. There are many legends about the foundation of the city but the most dependable is that the Miletion colonists founded it in the 7 th century BC and the city is the birthplace of the cynic philosopher Diogenes. The town's citadel dates from that early age and the foundations of the Temple of Serapis is to be found on the grounds of the Archaeological Museum where some beautiful golden icons are displayed. The 13 th century Alaeddin Mosque, the Alaiye Medresse, and the Balatlar Church are of interest in the city. Traditional nautical wood carvings, good crystal and the original cotton clothes of the city are praiseworthy and unique, so you will want to have examples of these artifacts.