Gümüşhane is a mountain city inland from the Black Sea, tucked into the Harşit valley between Trabzon and Erzincan. Its name means "silver house", a reminder of the mines and smelters that once made this valley important and also left it with a harder industrial history than the green hills first suggest.
The modern city is not one of Turkey's obvious stops. That is part of its interest. The old settlement around Süleymaniye sits above the newer town, the ruined Gümüşhane Castle watches the valley, and the surrounding province quickly turns into highland roads, caves, lakes, and former mining villages.
Most travellers who come here are using Gümüşhane as a base for the mountains. Karaca Cave is the easiest headline sight, while Lake Limni, the Zigana Pass area, Santa ruins, and the Artabel Lakes appeal more if you have your own vehicle and time for rougher roads or hiking.