Karadeniz19 Eki 2026· 6 min read

Çinçiva Village (Şenyuva): Historic Bridge, the Sevdaluk House and the Village Coffeehouse

In short: Çinçiva is the former name of Şenyuva Village in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize. With its 17th-century single-arch stone bridge spanning the Fırtına Stream, its wooden houses and its role as the filming location of the TV series Sevdaluk, it is one of the must-see stops in the Fırtına Valley. The easiest way to visit is with a guide on Sümela Tur's Pokut Plateau Tour or Gito Badara Tour, both departing from Trabzon.

What makes Çinçiva Village special?

The village's official name is Şenyuva. Although the name Çinçiva was changed in 1959, locals still call both the village and its bridge by the old name. Made up of eight hamlets, the village lies within a protected heritage site, which has helped it preserve its traditional character of wooden houses.

Çinçiva (Şenyuva) Bridge

The village's landmark is the stone bridge that crosses the Fırtına Stream in a single arch. About 40 metres long and rising 20 metres above the water, the bridge is a registered monument protected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The sign at the entrance gives 1696 as its construction date. Because the original inscription was lost in the 1946 flood, some sources give 1697 or 1699 instead. Since the series aired, some people have also called it the "Sevdaluk Bridge".

Wooden houses, the village coffeehouse and tea gardens

Wooden houses dominate the village, making every corner picture-perfect. A tea or coffee at the village coffeehouse, whose terrace overlooks the Fırtına Stream and the bridge, is an essential part of any stop in Çinçiva. The small tea gardens along the stream are also ideal for catching your breath in the cool air of the valley.

The village where Sevdaluk was filmed

Sevdaluk, a BKM production starring Demet Akbağ and Erdal Özyağcılar that aired on Show TV in 2013–2014, was filmed entirely on real locations in and around Şenyuva Village. The house and workshop of Ali İhsan and Adalet were built from scratch for the shoot. After the series aired, the village became a favourite stop for visitors who wanted a souvenir photo.

Things to do in Çinçiva

Photos at the historic stone bridge: Capture one of the valley's most famous shots, with the Fırtına Stream flowing beneath the arch.
A break at the village coffeehouse: Sip your tea or coffee with a view of the stream.
The Sevdaluk House: Snap a photo in memory of the series.
A short walk through the village: Wander among the wooden houses and see village life up close.

The bridge is a protected historic monument. Taking care on it and following your guide's instructions matters both for your safety and for the bridge's future.

The best season to visit Çinçiva

Çinçiva is beautiful all year round, and each season has its own character:

Spring (April–May): Snowmelt sends the Fırtına Stream rushing, the valley turns green again and things are still quiet.
Summer (June–August): Plateau season. The valley is lush, plateaus such as Pokut and Gito are at their liveliest, and this is also the busiest time.
Autumn (September–October): The crowds thin out and the valley takes on autumn colours. Many travellers who want to avoid the summer rush wait specifically for October.
Winter: Snow blankets the village and plateaus, and Çinçiva becomes a quiet, fairytale winter village.

For current dates of our day tours with plateau itineraries, contact us on WhatsApp.

Visit Çinçiva with Sümela Tur

The easiest way to see Çinçiva is to join a day tour with a guide who knows the route. Sümela Tur (licence no. 7059), our TÜRSAB Group A agency serving Trabzon since 2005, includes Çinçiva in two of its day tours.

Pokut Plateau Tour

We depart from Trabzon at 08:00. After the Fırtına Valley, we stop for tea and coffee at the village coffeehouse in Çinçiva and take photos at the historic stone bridge and the old village houses. The route continues to Zilkale. The day wraps up with photos and lunch on Pokut Plateau at around 2,075 metres, followed by a nature walk of about 30 minutes and free time on Sal Plateau. Transport in a luxury vehicle, a Turkish-speaking guide and mandatory travel insurance are included. See the Pokut Plateau Tour details.

Gito Badara Tour

Again, we set off from Trabzon at 08:00. After a stop for Sürmene knives, we pause in the Fırtına Valley at an area offering optional zipline and swing activities. Next comes a photo stop at the small tea gardens and the Sevdaluk House in the hamlet where the series was filmed. The route continues with free time and lunch on Gito Plateau at 2,000–2,100 metres and ends with Zilkale and Palovit Waterfall. See the Gito Badara Tour details.

If you're planning a trip of several days, our Black Sea Tour package also covers Çinçiva Village and Bridge, Zilkale and Palovit Waterfall in a single day on the road to Ayder. For all routes, take a look at our Black Sea plateau tours page.

To book your spot or ask about available dates, message us on WhatsApp: 0532 170 91 54. Our team, rated 4.5 stars on Google, looks forward to sharing a tea break with you in Çinçiva.

Other places you'll see alongside Çinçiva on this tour

Fırtına Valley: The green canyon of the Black Sea, with historic arched bridges and a rushing stream. For details, see our Fırtına Valley and Zilkale travel guide.
Zilkale: A medieval castle overlooking the valley from above and one of the most impressive photo stops on the route. Details in our Zilkale guide.
Pokut Plateau: A view above the clouds at around 2,075 metres. Details in our Pokut Plateau guide.
Sal Plateau: A plateau belonging to Şenyuva, with a short nature walk and free time. Details in our Sal Plateau guide.
Gito Plateau: Çamlıhemşin's cloud-touching plateau at 2,000–2,100 metres. Find out more in our Gito and Badara guide.
Palovit Waterfall: A waterfall stop at the final leg of the Gito Badara Tour.
Sürmene knives: A stop on the Gito Badara Tour to browse the knives that carry Sürmene's name.

Frequently asked questions

Are Çinçiva and Şenyuva the same place?

Yes. Şenyuva is the official name of the village in Çamlıhemşin, and Çinçiva is its former name, changed in 1959. The bridge is also known by both names, as Şenyuva Bridge or Çinçiva Bridge.

Where was the Sevdaluk series filmed?

Sevdaluk was filmed on real locations in and around Şenyuva (Çinçiva) Village in Çamlıhemşin. On our Gito Badara Tour, we make a photo stop at the Sevdaluk House in the hamlet where the series was filmed.

What is the best time to visit Çinçiva?

Summer is best for the green valley and the plateau atmosphere, while September–October stands out for a quieter trip and autumn colours.

Which tours include Çinçiva?

Çinçiva is a stop on Sümela Tur's day tours departing from Trabzon, the Pokut Plateau Tour and the Gito Badara Tour, as well as on the multi-day Black Sea Tour. For available dates and spots, WhatsApp: 0532 170 91 54.

Cover photo: Şenyuva Bridge, Onur Capıt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.