Pazar
Pazar offers a world-class aviation gateway, island castle fortress, and coastal Laz culture experience. Its crowning landmark is the Rize-Artvin International Airport (RZV)—a technological marvel built on an artificial island in the Black Sea featuring a tea-glass-shaped control tower—alongside Maiden's Castle (Kız Kalesi), a 13th-century stone citadel perched on an offshore islet. Visitors can e
Tourist experience
Pazar offers an extraordinary fossil cave wonder, subterranean speleology, and mountain valley experience. Its crowning international attraction is Ballıca Cave—a 3.4-million-year-old fossil cave system featuring massive multi-story chambers, stalagmites, and rare 'onion' stalactites. Visitors can explore the underground wooden walkways, hike through surrounding pine plateaus, or sample local organic honey and dairy. Gastronomy features Tokat Kebabı, local cheese, and homestyle pastries.
Key points of interest
Investment outlook
Pazar holds a Transparent Investment Score of 88.5/100, recognized as a specialized fossil cave eco-tourism, speleology research, and agricultural land-reserve market. Driven by high global tourist traffic to Ballıca Cave, land and chalet property values average $880/m² with rapid capital appreciation (~44.5% YoY in USD).
Living here
Residing in Pazar offers a quiet, healthy, and serene mountain valley lifestyle with pure spring water and clean high-oxygen air. Residents benefit from fresh local produce, safe community streets, affordable living costs, and close-knit neighborly solidarity.
History & cultural identity
Pazar, set on high limestone mountain tablelands and green river valleys in northern Tokat near Erbaa, holds a monumental fossil cave, ancient Roman, and agricultural history. Known historically as a quiet agricultural village, Pazar was incorporated as an independent municipal district in 1987. The district is globally famous as the home of Ballıca Mağarası (Ballıca Cave)—one of the world's most spectacular fossil cave systems, featuring rare onion stalactites and high-oxygen therapeutic air.
Frequently asked questions
What is unique about Rize-Artvin Airport in Pazar?+
Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV) is built entirely on an artificial island in the Black Sea, featuring a control tower shaped like a traditional Turkish tea glass.
What is Maiden's Castle (Kız Kalesi) in Pazar?+
Kız Kalesi is a 13th-century Byzantine stone fortress built on a small rock island just offshore in Pazar, accessible by boat.
How far is Pazar from Ayder Yaylası and Central Rize?+
Pazar is located 35 kilometers east of central Rize and serves as the primary coastal highway gateway turning south to Hemşin and Ayder Yaylası.