Firtina River and Bridges The Eastern Black Sea Region boasts a plethora of streams, but one stands out as particularly iconic: the Fırtına River, also known as the Storm Creek. Flowing for 68 kilometers, the Fırtına River originates in the Kaçkar Mountains of Rize Province and eventually empties into the Black Sea, passing through Çamlıhemşin and Ardeşen along the way. For centuries, it has served as a transportation route for tea traders, and its beauty makes it a popular destination for rafting and sport fishing with children. The river is home to more than 20 Ottoman-era bridges, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and possibly even older. The bridges, such as Camlihemsin, Kaptanpasa, Buzlupinar, Koprukoy, Senyuva, Mikron, and Ardesen, are well-preserved and are believed to have been constructed by local masons who received guidance from Ottoman authorities.