4 places to visit in the Günyüzü district of Eskişehir: Günyüzü Castle, Günyüzü Plateaus and Günyüzü Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Günyüzü with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Günyüzü is a district of Eskişehir province in the Central Anatolia Region. Its population is 5,008, and it gained district status in 1990.

History

The first settlement in the area began when the Seljuk dynasty settled in Sivrihisar in 1072. After the Ottoman state took Sivrihisar in 1289, Osman Gazi gave the administration of the region to his brother Gündüz Bey. Before the Republic, Günyüzü was a village called Kozağacı, and in 1990 it became an independent district.

Geography

There are three plateaus and dairy farms within the district boundaries. Günyüzü is also known as the land of melons.

Economy

The district economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Barley, wheat, oats, opium poppy, sunflower and sugar beet are grown.

History and Culture

Before the Republic, Günyüzü was a village called Kozağacı; in 1932 it became a bucak. The district is known as the land of melons; there is no large industrial establishment.

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Places to Visit in Günyüzü

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Nature
Historic

Günyüzü Castle

Castle ruins on a hill overlooking the district centre. Its walls from the Seljuk period reflect the strategic importance of the area. Pottery fragments from various periods were found in excavations at the foot of the castle.

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Nature

Günyüzü Plateaus

The plateaus in the upper parts of the district offer a cool climate and wide pastures in summer, making them suitable for nature tourism.

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Religious

Günyüzü Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in the district centre, built in the Ottoman period and notable for its traditional stone architecture. The century-old plane tree in its courtyard has become a symbol of the district along with the mosque.

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Nature

Plateaus of Günyüzü district

It is reported that there are three plateaus and dairy farms within the district boundaries.

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Places to Visit Around Eskişehir Province

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While you are in Günyüzü, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; Günyüzü is about 90 km from the provincial centre.

  • Odunpazarı Houses — The historic quarter on the hills where the city first grew up; with its winding streets and colourful timber houses with bay windows, it preserves the Ottoman urban fabric and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2012. Many of the houses are now museums, workshops or cafés.
  • Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) — A contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with stacked timber beams, inspired by Odunpazarı's past as a wood market; it opened on 7 September 2019 with the collection of Erol Tabanca, an architect and collector from Eskişehir.
  • Kurşunlu Complex — A complex of mosque, soup kitchen, caravanserai and madrasa built by Çoban Mustafa Paşa in 1525; its caravanserai is counted among the works of Mimar Sinan.
  • Porsuk River Banks — The banks of the Porsuk River, which divides the city centre in two, have been landscaped with bridges, walking paths and cafés; gondola and boat tours run on the river.
  • Midas Monument and Midas City (Yazılıkaya) — A 17-metre Phrygian cult façade carved into the rock around 600 BC in the Yazılıkaya neighbourhood of the Han district; the name Midas appears in the Phrygian inscriptions.
  • Pessinus (Ballıhisar) — A Phrygian and Roman city in the village of Ballıhisar, south of Sivrihisar, and the most important place of worship of the mother goddess Cybele.

Practical Information for Visiting Günyüzü

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

What to Eat in Günyüzü

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  • Çibörek (fried meat pastry)

    Minced meat filling wrapped in thin dough and fried in hot oil, çibörek is the classic flavour of the Eskişehir region. The recipe is passed down from generation to generation, and each family adds its own small touches.

  • Balaban Kebabı (doner meat on pide bread)

    Doner meat poured over pide bread with buttered tomato sauce and yoghurt, balaban kebabı is a dish specific to Eskişehir. The recipe is passed down from generation to generation, and each family adds its own small touches.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Günyüzü

  • Connection to the Nasreddin Hoca Festival

    Günyüzü is part of this cultural event thanks to its location close to the neighbouring district of Sivrihisar, which hosts the International Nasreddin Hoca Culture and Arts Festival.

Local Products

  • Günyüzü Honey — Flower honey gathered in the district's farmland, a natural and aromatic variety of honey.

Economy

Günyüzü's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are the main agricultural products.

How to Get to Günyüzü

Günyüzü is about 90 km from Eskişehir city centre. Road access is via Sivrihisar.

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Günyüzü: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Günyüzü?

Four highlights in Günyüzü: Günyüzü Castle, Günyüzü Plateaus, Günyüzü Grand Mosque and the plateaus of Günyüzü district.

What to eat in Günyüzü?

Çibörek and Balaban Kebabı are the signature flavours on Günyüzü's tables.

What is Günyüzü famous for?

Günyüzü is known for Günyüzü Honey and its Connection to the Nasreddin Hoca Festival. The flower honey gathered in the district's farmland is a natural and aromatic variety.

How do I get to Günyüzü?

Günyüzü is about 90 km from Eskişehir city centre. Road access is via Sivrihisar.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to Günyüzü?

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

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