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5 places to visit in the Nazilli district of Aydın: Nazilli Sümerbank Printed Fabric Factory, Mastavra Ancient City and Beşparmak Mountains. Plan your trip to Nazilli with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Nazilli is the second most populous district of Aydın province in the Aegean Region. It is 45 km from Efeler district and 81 km from Denizli. The district’s altitude is 80 metres.

History

The region’s first settlement was the ancient city of Mastaura, founded by the Lydians. On 2 September 1922, the whole district was burned by the Greek army. In 1937, Atatürk opened the Nazilli Sümerbank Factory. The factory was closed in 2002, and its campus was transferred to Adnan Menderes University.

Economy

Cotton, alfalfa and maize are mainly produced on the Nazilli Plain. Mountain villages are famous for chestnut, fig and olive production.

Culture

Kar helvası is a distinctive summer treat made with snow brought from Madran Mountain in the south of the district, and syrup. Nazilli Pidesi is specific to the area, with minced meat, egg, cheese, tahini and round minced-meat varieties.

History and Culture

Nazilli is one of the oldest settlements in the Aegean Region. Nazilli was liberated from occupation on 5 September 1922. Nazilli played important roles during the War of Independence. On 2 September 1922, the Greek army burned the whole district. Because it lies on the İzmir–Aydın railway line, Nazilli’s population grew rapidly. Evliya Çelebi visited Nazilli in 1671.

Notable Facts

Nazilli Kar Helvası was registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and received a geographical indication on 31 May 2018. After winning the Battle of Myriokephalon (Miryakefalon) in 1176, the Seljuks, who began the Turkification of Anatolia, brought Nazilli and its surroundings under the influence of an entirely new civilisation and culture.

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Places to Visit in Nazilli

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Cultural
Cultural

Nazilli Sümerbank Printed Fabric Factory

Opened by Atatürk in 1937, the first printed fabric factory in Türkiye. It was closed in 2002, and its campus was transferred to Adnan Menderes University.

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Historic

Mastavra Ancient City

Mastavra, in the mountainous area north of Nazilli, was an important bishopric centre in the Byzantine period. The remains include church foundations, walls and cisterns.

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Nature

Beşparmak Mountains

The Beşparmak Mountains (ancient name Latmos) rise south of Nazilli and offer ideal routes for trekking and walks. The mountains contain rock paintings from antiquity and monastery remains.

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Attraction

Nazilli Bazaar

A historic bazaar dating from the Ottoman period, the commercial centre of Nazilli, with shops selling traditional handicrafts and local products. The hans within the bazaar bear traces of Ottoman trading culture.

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Historic

Nazilli Sümerbank Factory

The first printed fabric factory in Türkiye, opened by Atatürk in 1937.

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Places to Visit Around Aydın Province

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While you are in Nazilli, you can also see the highlights of Aydın province. These places are in other districts.

  • Aphrodisias Ancient City — The city of Aphrodite in the Geyre neighbourhood of Karacasu; from the 1st to the 5th century AD it was one of the art centres of the Roman world thanks to its sculpture school.
  • Aphrodisias Stadium — The best-preserved and most magnificent building in the city, and the best-preserved of all the ancient stadiums in the Aegean Region; it hosted athletic competitions for a long time.
  • Didyma Temple of Apollo — Together with Delphi, Didyma in Didim was the most famous oracle centre of the Hellenic world.
  • Miletus (Miletos) — An Ionian port city near the village of Balat in Didim, the home of Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes and the birthplace of Hippodamus, the inventor of the grid city plan.
  • Priene — An Ionian city built in terraces on the steep slope of Mount Mykale (Dilek) in the Güllübahçe neighbourhood of Söke; it is known as the first and most important city to apply the Hippodamian grid plan.
  • Nysa — A city built on both sides of a stream valley in Sultanhisar; the geographer Strabo studied here.

Practical Information for Visiting Nazilli

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Nazilli

Food guide →

  • Nazilli Kar Helvası (snow dessert)

    Nazilli Kar Helvası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 31 May 2018 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 354). Product group: ice creams and edible ices. Registered by: Nazilli Chamber of Commerce.

  • Nazilli Pidesi

    Nazilli Pidesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 18 November 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 594). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough dishes, desserts. Registered by: Nazilli Chamber of Commerce.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Nazilli

  • Republican Industrial Heritage

    Nazilli is one of the important centres of the Republic's drive to industrialise. The Sümerbank Printed Fabric Factory, opened by Atatürk in 1937, is one of Türkiye's first major textile plants.

  • Zeybek Culture

    Nazilli is one of the important centres of zeybek culture in the Aegean. Traditional zeybek dances are performed at weddings and festivals.

Local Products

  • Figs — Nazilli is one of the districts where the finest examples of Aydın figs are grown. Figs grown on the Büyük Menderes Plain are dried and exported to world markets.
  • Cotton — Cotton is farmed on the Büyük Menderes Plain. The reason the Nazilli Sümerbank Factory was founded, cotton remains an important agricultural product of the region.
  • Olives and olive oil — Olives are grown on Nazilli's slopes. The olive oil produced in the region is among the finest Aegean olive oils.

Economy

Nazilli's economy is based on agriculture, textiles and trade. Figs, cotton, olives and citrus fruit are grown on the Büyük Menderes Plain. The textile sector has deep roots in the Sümerbank tradition. Nazilli is the most populous district of Aydın and one of the region's trade centres.

How to Get to Nazilli

Nazilli is 40 km from Aydın city centre and 160 km from İzmir by road. It lies on the İzmir–Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (140 km). Intercity bus services are available.

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Nazilli: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Nazilli?

The 5 highlights of Nazilli are Nazilli Sümerbank Printed Fabric Factory, Mastavra Ancient City, Beşparmak Mountains, Nazilli Bazaar and Nazilli Sümerbank Factory.

What to eat in Nazilli?

Nazilli Kar Helvası and Nazilli Pidesi are the standout flavours on Nazilli's tables.

What is Nazilli famous for?

Nazilli is known for figs and its Republican Industrial Heritage. Nazilli is one of the districts where the finest examples of Aydın figs are grown. Figs grown on the Büyük Menderes Plain are dried and exported to world markets.

How do I get to Nazilli?

Nazilli is 40 km from Aydın city centre and 160 km from İzmir by road. It lies on the İzmir–Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (140 km). Intercity bus services are available.

How much time should I set aside for Nazilli?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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