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5 places to visit in the Ulus district of Bartın: Ulukaya Waterfall, Ulus Castle and Ulus Forests. Plan your trip to Ulus with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Unlike the other districts of Bartın, Ulus is the only one without a coastline.

History

Ulus’s history is thought to go back to around 3000 BC. Between about 800 and 2000 BC the region saw raids and migrations, first from the east and then from the west, and the Gasgas people, contemporaries of the Hittites, lived in this region for a long time. On 8 August 1944 Ulus became a district of Zonguldak province, and in 1991, when Bartın province was established, it was attached to Bartın province.

Geography

The district has generally rugged terrain, and the region’s natural vegetation is forest. Stretching towards the Küre Mountains, the district reaches a height of up to 1,200 metres above sea level in some areas.

History and Culture

Ulus’s history is thought to go back to around 3000 BC. Ulus went from being a subdistrict of Safranbolu in 1944 to a district of Zonguldak. In the Ottoman period Ulus remained a small settlement and was not the scene of any major event.

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Places to Visit in Ulus

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 3 Nature
Nature

Ulukaya Waterfall

A waterfall inside a canyon in Ulukaya village, 17 km from Ulus district centre.

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Historic

Ulus Castle

The castle ruins on the hilltop above the district centre date from the Byzantine period. The castle walls, also used in the Candaroğlu and Ottoman periods, partly survive.

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Nature

Ulus Forests

Ulus's extensive forests are covered with beech, oak and pine trees. Offering walking, camping and photography routes, the forests are especially striking in autumn with their riot of colour.

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Religious

Ulus Bazaar Mosque

Built in the Ottoman period, the Bazaar Mosque is the oldest place of worship in the district centre. With its woodwork and local architectural features, it is a simple example of the mosque tradition of the Western Black Sea region.

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Nature

Küre Mountains National Park

Ulukaya Waterfall is said to be the starting point of this national park.

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Places to Visit Around Bartın Province

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

  • Amasra Castle — Built in the Roman period and repaired in the Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman periods, the castle consists of two parts, Sormagir and the Zindan (dungeon) castle, and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. Its outer walls and gates were built by the Genoese in the 14th–15th centuries.
  • Kemere Bridge — A single-arched stone bridge that joins the two parts of Amasra Castle, on the peninsula and on Boztepe Island; built in the Roman period and repaired by the Byzantines in the 8th–9th centuries, it is 26.7 metres long and was restored in 2014.
  • Amasra Fatih Mosque — Originally a Byzantine church built in the 9th century, the building was converted into a mosque after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror took Amasra in 1460, and is still open for worship today.
  • Amasra Museum — Opened in its present building in 1982, the museum displays works from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman periods; its most famous piece is the armoured torso of the Roman emperor Hadrian.
  • Kuşkayası Road Monument — A Roman monument carved into the rock beside the old road, 4 km from Amasra; it was commissioned in the 1st century AD by Gaius Julius Aquila, governor of Bithynia and Pontus, in honour of the emperor Claudius.
  • Güzelcehisar Basalt Columns — On the Bartın coast, pentagonal basalt columns up to 50 metres high, stretching for 5 km, formed about 80 million years ago (Late Cretaceous) when a lava flow cooled slowly; declared a natural monument in 2017. There is an 800-metre wooden walkway.

Practical Information for Visiting Ulus

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

What to Eat in Ulus

Food guide →

  • Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves)

    Rice and minced meat wrapped in collard leaves, this dish is one of the best-loved flavours of Black Sea cuisine. It is prepared in Ulus using a traditional recipe.

  • Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)

    A traditional Black Sea bread made from cornmeal, served with meals. Baked in an oven or on a griddle, this bread is essential to the cuisine of the region.

  • Dügü Çorbası (wheat and yoghurt soup)

    Made with cracked wheat and yoghurt, dügü çorbası is one of the traditional flavours of Ulus cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Ulus

  • Candaroğlu Heritage

    Ulus remained under the rule of the Candaroğlu Principality between the 11th and 13th centuries. The castle and building remains from this period are an important part of the district's historical heritage.

  • Forestry Culture

    Ulus's extensive forests have shaped the way of life of the people of the district. Woodcutting, beekeeping and gathering forest products are traditions maintained for generations.

Local Products

  • Forest Products — Timber, charcoal and mushrooms obtained from Ulus's extensive forests are the district's important local products.
  • Pine Honey — Pine honey, produced from beekeeping in the forested areas of the district, is known for its dark colour and intense aroma.

Economy

The Ulus economy rests on forestry, farming and livestock. Its extensive forests produce timber and charcoal. Beekeeping is an important source of income. Grain and pulse cultivation takes place in farming. Small livestock farming is the basic source of livelihood in rural areas.

How to Get to Ulus

Ulus is 45 km from Bartın city centre. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from Bartın. The nearest airport is Zonguldak Airport (110 km).

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Ulus: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Ulus?

The top 5 sights in Ulus are: Ulukaya Waterfall, Ulus Castle, Ulus Forests, Ulus Bazaar Mosque and Küre Mountains National Park.

What is there to eat in Ulus?

Karalahana Sarması, Mısır Ekmeği and Dügü Çorbası are the standout dishes on Ulus's tables.

What is Ulus famous for?

Ulus is known for its Forest Products and the Candaroğlu Heritage. Timber, charcoal and mushrooms obtained from Ulus's extensive forests are the district's important local products.

How do I get to Ulus?

Ulus is 45 km from Bartın city centre. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from Bartın. The nearest airport is Zonguldak Airport (110 km).

How long should I set aside for a visit to Ulus?

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

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