TR RU

8 places to visit in the Mudurnu district of Bolu: Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque, Armutçular Mansion and Abant Lake. Plan your trip to Mudurnu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Mudurnu is a district of Bolu and lies 52 km from the provincial centre. The district covers 1,314 km², and its average elevation above sea level is 872 metres. Mudurnu is an Ottoman town with an important collection of old Turkish houses, and it has kept its authenticity through its historic urban fabric and town culture.

Architectural Heritage

In this district, set in a green landscape, there are 231 architecturally significant structures in total: 207 houses, 20 religious and cultural buildings, 2 military buildings, 2 natural monuments, a fountain and a hammam. For this reason the district has been declared an Urban Conservation Area. Armutçular Mansion and Keyvanlar Mansion are among the finest examples of Turkish civil architecture.

Historic Buildings

Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque was built in 1374, during the period when Yıldırım Beyazıt, son of Sultan Murat I, was prince of Bolu.

UNESCO Heritage

Mudurnu was added to the World Heritage List in 2014 under the name Historic Ahi Town of Mudurnu. For 700 years, the Ahi Prayer has been recited every Friday and passed on from generation to generation.

History and Culture

The Historic Ahi Town of Mudurnu entered the World Heritage List in 2014. Mudurnu Clock Tower was built in timber in 1890-1891. Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Mosque was commissioned in 1546. Mudurnu joined the Cittaslow network in 2018.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Mudurnu

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 4 Nature
  • 1 Cultural

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Yıldırım Bayezid Hammam

A hammam built as a double bath, opposite Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque.

View on map
Historic

Armutçular and Keyvanlar mansions

Mansions that are examples of Turkish civil architecture in Mudurnu.

View on map

Religious Buildings 1

Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque - Mudurnu Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Religious

Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque

A mosque commissioned in 1374 by Yıldırım Beyazıt, and one of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture. It is still in use.

View on map

Natural Wonders 4

Nature

Abant Lake

A lake 18 km from the district centre, located in an oval-shaped hollow between the Abant and Mudurnu mountain ranges.

View on map
Nature

Sülüklügöl

A natural wonder of a lake, 9 km from the Mudurnu-Akyazı road. It is enclosed on three sides by steep slopes.

View on map
Nature

Sülüklügöl Nature Park

A nature park and lake within the district boundaries of Mudurnu, 50 km from Mudurnu.

View on map
Nature

Abant Lake and Şeyh-ül Ümran Hill

A lake and a hill within the district boundaries; the hill offers a view over Mudurnu.

View on map

Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Armutçular Mansion

One of the finest examples of Turkish civil architecture, a mansion.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Bolu Province

See all →

While you are in Mudurnu, you can also see the highlights of Bolu province. These places are in other districts; Mudurnu is about 35 km from the provincial centre.

  • Lake Abant National Park — A landslide-dammed lake in the Mudurnu district, 35 km south-west of Bolu at an altitude of about 1,330 metres; the 125-hectare lake is 18 metres deep at its deepest point.
  • Yedigöller National Park — Seven lakes formed when landslides blocked valleys, some of them connected underground, and beech forests reminiscent of a "sea of forest"; Türkiye's first farmed-trout production station was set up here in 1969. The lakes can be seen from the Kapankaya viewpoint.
  • Gölcük Nature Park — A 4.5-hectare forest lake 13 km south of Bolu at an altitude of 1,217 metres; the wooden lake house on the shore is the most photographed view in Bolu.
  • Lake Sünnet — A narrow lake 1,100 metres long, 22 km east of Göynük at an altitude of 1,030 metres, formed when two landslides blocked the Gök Dere stream; it has walking trails and an accommodation facility.
  • Mudurnu — An Ottoman town 52 km from Bolu that developed on the Silk Road; it has a well-preserved urban fabric of wooden mansions, a historic bazaar and traditions.
  • Mudurnu Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque — Built in 1374 during Yıldırım Bayezid's time as prince governor of Bolu, this is one of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture; the Yıldırım Bayezid Hammam of 1382 nearby also still stands.

Practical Information for Visiting Mudurnu

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

What to Eat in Mudurnu

Food guide →

  • Mudurnu Bal Kabaklı Gözlemesi (pumpkin and honey flatbread)

    Mudurnu Bal Kabaklı Gözlemesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 12 April 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 716). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Mudurnu District Governorship.

  • Mudurnu Basma Helva (pressed halva)

    Mudurnu Basma Helva was registered as a protected geographical indication on 23 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 637). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Mudurnu District Governorship.

  • Mudurnu Kaşık Sapı (spoon-handle pastry)

    Mudurnu Kaşık Sapı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 May 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 775). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Mudurnu District Governorship.

  • Mudurnu böreği, keş, Mudurnu baklavası and Mudurnu helvası

    Among the regional dishes of Mudurnu.

  • Mudurnu Saray Helvası (Saray halva)

    Also known as pişmaniye, a halva whose production centre is Mudurnu.

  • Mudurnu Baklası (Mudurnu broad beans)

    Mudurnu baklası is included in the list of regional dishes of Bolu.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Mudurnu

  • Ottoman Urban Fabric

    Mudurnu is one of the settlements that best preserves the urban fabric of the Ottoman period. With its historic houses, mosques, hammams and bazaar, it is effectively an open-air museum.

  • Mudurnu Festival

    The Mudurnu Festival, held every year, promotes the district through traditional handicraft exhibitions, regional food tastings and cultural events.

Local Products

  • Mudurnu Honey — Pine and flower honey obtained from the rich forest cover is Mudurnu's most valuable natural product.
  • Handicrafts — Traditional wood carving, coppersmithing and weaving still continue in Mudurnu. These products attract great interest from tourists.

Economy

The economy of Mudurnu consists of agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. Cultural tourism is developing thanks to its historic Ottoman houses. Beekeeping and forest products are important sources of income. Its proximity to Abant Lake increases its tourism potential.

How to Get to Mudurnu

Mudurnu lies 35 km from Bolu city centre. Regular minibus services run from Bolu. It is close to the Ankara-Istanbul motorway.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Bolu

Mudurnu: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Mudurnu?

The 8 highlights of Mudurnu are Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque, Armutçular Mansion, Abant Lake, Sülüklügöl, Sülüklügöl Nature Park, Yıldırım Bayezid Hammam, the Armutçular and Keyvanlar mansions, and Abant Lake and Şeyh-ül Ümran Hill.

What should I eat in Mudurnu?

Mudurnu Bal Kabaklı Gözlemesi, Mudurnu Basma Helva, Mudurnu Kaşık Sapı and Mudurnu böreği, keş, Mudurnu baklavası and Mudurnu helvası are the standout flavours on the tables of Mudurnu.

What is Mudurnu famous for?

Mudurnu is known for Mudurnu Honey and its Ottoman Urban Fabric. The pine and flower honey obtained from the rich forest cover is Mudurnu's most valuable natural product.

How do I get to Mudurnu?

Mudurnu lies 35 km from Bolu city centre. Regular minibus services run from Bolu. It is close to the Ankara-Istanbul motorway.

How long should I set aside for a trip to Mudurnu?

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

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Bolu

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.