Statue of Diogenes the Cynic

Black Sea Coast


Whitewashed and holding the 'lamp of reason', a statue of the Sinop-born Greek philosopher Diogenes (412 to 323 BC) stands with his dog on a barrel in a car park backed by a castle tower. He'd have loved the incongruity.

A contemporary of Socrates, Diogenes believed in reasoning over faith, teaching by example and freedom of expression. The latter was taken to such an extreme that some questioned his sanity. He was exiled from Sinop for defacing the local currency, a deed rather less egregious by today's standards than many of his other 'point-proving' faux pas, including masturbating in the marketplace. He has since been forgiven, at least enough to have a statue erected.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Black Sea Coast attractions

1. Tarihi Sinop Cezaevi

0.09 MILES

This once infamous prison (1887 to 1997) incarcerated many famous Turkish writers. Though the extensive site has little in English, the grim, bare blocks…

2. Alaaddin Camii

0.36 MILES

Entered from the north through a delightful oasis of a garden-yard, this historic mosque was first constructed for Süleyman Pervane in 1267. The local…

3. Şehitler Çeşmesi

0.37 MILES

Secreted away near the harbour, next to the Hacı Ömer Camii (1903), the poignant Martyrs' Fountain commemorates the Turkish soldiers who died in the…

4. Sinop Fortress

0.48 MILES

Giving definition to much of central Sinop are the very hefty remnants of stone walls. With origins dating back four millennia, these once ran 3km,…

5. Sinop Martyrs' Monument

0.49 MILES

This monument, flanked by canons and anchors, contains the remains of sailors killed in the Crimean War. It's in the gardens of the museum, which are…

6. Belediye

0.5 MILES

Sinop's municipal building is a forgettable 20th century tower, but directly to the south is a contrastingly attractive police station built in 'Baghdad…

7. Atatürk Statue

0.52 MILES

The familiar figure holds a top hat in one hand and waves with the other. He has pride of place in Barış Manço Parkı, a marble-paved park of tree-shaded…

8. Sinop Archaeological Museum

0.54 MILES

Highlights of this excellent museum include the fabulous Meydankapı mosaic from the 4th century AD, depicting the four seasons and seven muses; a marble…