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8 places to visit in the Gölpazarı district of Bilecik: Gölpazarı Castle, Çengeller Village and Natural Views and Gölpazarı Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii). Plan your trip to Gölpazarı with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Gölpazarı is a district of Bilecik province.

Ancient Times

Excavations carried out by archaeologists at the mounds in and around Gölpazarı have yielded objects that shed light on the region’s history before antiquity.

History

Gazi Mihal, who had a role in the founding of the Ottoman State, is important to the district. The district, which sent many of its young men to the Çanakkale Battles and lost many of them, was not occupied by the enemy during the War of Independence.

History and Culture

Because it lies on migration routes, Gölpazarı has hosted many different civilisations. The castle was taken by Osman Bey in 1313, and in 1607 permission was requested from Istanbul for its repair. That Gazi Mihal Bey was one of the founders of Gölpazarı is accepted by most historians. Gazi Mihal Bey has four works in Gölpazarı, forming a complex of Taşhan, Zincirli Well, a mosque and a hammam. The Mihal Gazi Mosque is said to have been built between AH 818–821 (AD 1415–1418).

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Places to Visit in Gölpazarı

  • 4 Historic
  • 2 Religious
  • 2 Nature

Historic Sites 4

Historic

Gölpazarı Castle

The castle on the hill overlooking the district centre was built in the Byzantine period and used in the Ottoman period. Its walls and watchtowers partly survive.

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Historic

Mihal Bey Caravanserai (Taşhan)

A caravanserai built as a place where caravans could stop and rest.

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Historic

Mihal Bey Hammam

A hammam that has lost its original function but has kept its domed interior and its originality.

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Historic

Leblebici Castle (Löblüce)

Known as Leblebici Castle in the Ottoman period.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Gölpazarı Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii)

Built in the Ottoman period, the Gölpazarı Grand Mosque is the oldest place of worship in the district. Its wooden ceiling craftsmanship and mihrab decorations reflect traditional Ottoman mosque architecture.

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Religious

Mihal Gazi Mosque (Çarşı Mosque)

A mosque in the district centre, known today as Çarşı Mosque.

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Natural Wonders 2

Nature

Çengeller Village and Natural Views

Çengeller village, with its green valleys and traditional village fabric, attracts photographers. The valley view from the village offers one of the most beautiful natural scenes in Bilecik.

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Nature

Gölpazarı Ponds

The ponds around the district are ideal areas for birdwatching and nature walks. Various bird species can be observed in the marshy areas, and the ponds attract photography enthusiasts.

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Places to Visit Around Bilecik Province

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While you are in Gölpazarı, you can also see the highlights of Bilecik province. These places are in other districts; Gölpazarı is about 30 km from the provincial centre.

  • Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb — The tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi (d. 1281), the father of Osman Gazi, in Söğüt; Osman Gazi had it built as an open grave, and Çelebi Mehmed turned it into a tomb.
  • Şeyh Edebali Tomb — The tomb in Bilecik where Şeyh Edebali, father-in-law and teacher of Osman Gazi, and his daughter Rabia Bala Hatun are buried; it was built by Orhan Gazi as a tomb and zawiya.
  • Orhan Gazi Mosque (Bilecik) — An early Ottoman mosque attributed to Orhan Gazi, standing on the site of the masjid that Osman Gazi had built after taking Bilecik; together with the Şeyh Edebali Tomb it is one of the oldest Ottoman buildings in the city.
  • Köprülü Mehmed Paşa Caravanserai — A caravanserai measuring 101.5 × 27.2 metres in the town of Vezirhan on the Bilecik–Adapazarı road, a foundation of Köprülü Mehmed Paşa thought to have been built in 1655 or 1665; it was turned into a 36-room hotel in a restoration carried out in 2007–2010.
  • Söğüt Çelebi Mehmet Mosque — A historic mosque in the centre of the Söğüt district, attributed to Çelebi Mehmet.
  • Ertuğrul Gazi Museum (Söğüt) — A museum in Söğüt devoted to the founding period and the ethnography of the area.

Practical Information for Visiting Gölpazarı

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Gölpazarı

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  • Gölpazarı Mantısı (handmade dumplings)

    Made with handmade thin dough, Gölpazarı mantı is served with garlic yoghurt and a butter sauce. It is the most loved traditional dish of the region.

  • Höşmerim (fried cheese dessert)

    Prepared by frying fresh cheese and flour in a pan, höşmerim is an indispensable dessert on breakfast tables and on special days in Gölpazarı.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gölpazarı

  • Historic Village Fabric

    Gölpazarı and its surrounding villages are among the rare settlements that preserve traditional Anatolian village architecture. Stone houses, wooden granaries and fountains are the characteristic features of the villages.

  • Yörük Culture

    In Gölpazarı the Yörük tradition is still kept alive. Traditional weaving, felt-making and plateau pastoralism are being passed on to new generations.

Local Products

  • Gölpazarı Honey — A flower honey obtained from the rich plant cover of Gölpazarı, the most valuable natural product of the region. Beekeeping holds an important place in the district's economy.
  • Walnut — Walnut grown in the fertile valleys of Gölpazarı is one of the region's important agricultural products. Walnut orchard farming continues as a tradition.

Economy

Gölpazarı's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Grain, walnuts and fruit are grown in the valleys. Beekeeping is an important source of livelihood. Small and large livestock farming contribute to the district economy.

How to Get to Gölpazarı

Gölpazarı is 30 km from Bilecik city centre. Regular minibus services run from Bilecik. The nearest high-speed train station is in Bilecik.

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Gölpazarı: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Gölpazarı?

The 8 highlights of Gölpazarı: Gölpazarı Castle, Çengeller Village and Natural Views, Gölpazarı Grand Mosque, Gölpazarı Ponds, Mihal Gazi Mosque (Çarşı Mosque), Mihal Bey Caravanserai (Taşhan), Mihal Bey Hammam and Leblebici Castle (Löblüce).

What should I eat in Gölpazarı?

Gölpazarı Mantısı and Höşmerim are the standout dishes on the tables of Gölpazarı.

What is Gölpazarı famous for?

Gölpazarı is known for Gölpazarı Honey and its Historic Village Fabric. The flower honey obtained from the district's rich plant cover is its most valuable natural product.

How do I get to Gölpazarı?

Gölpazarı is 30 km from Bilecik city centre. Regular minibus services run from Bilecik. The nearest high-speed train station is in Bilecik.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Gölpazarı?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer.

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