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7 places to visit in the Uluborlu district of Isparta: Uluborlu Castle, Uluborlu Grand Mosque and Uluborlu Historic Houses. Plan your trip to Uluborlu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Uluborlu is a district in the Mediterranean Region, attached to Isparta. It is 65 km from Isparta and 180 km from Antalya. The district has an area of 240 km², and the average elevation of the district centre above sea level is 1,054 metres.

History

The Uluborlu region, located at the crossroads of ancient, military and commercial routes, has been a settlement since prehistoric times. In 334 BC the Pisidia region came under the control of Alexander the Great. In 1074 Uluborlu passed into the hands of the Seljuk Turks. After the Battle of Myriokephalon in 1176, Uluborlu definitely came under Seljuk rule in 1180. It joined Ottoman territory in 1361 and was captured by Timur in 1403.

Economic Structure

Irrigated agriculture is the main source of income for the people. After the construction of the Uluborlu Dam in 1977, fruit production developed greatly with modern methods. A significant part of Uluborlu cherries is exported to European countries such as England, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

History and Culture

The Uluborlu region lies at the crossroads of ancient and commercial routes and has been settled since prehistoric times. In 1182 Uluborlu became the centre of a Seljuk frontier province. Uluborlu is the district in Türkiye with the most Independence Medals.

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Places to Visit in Uluborlu

  • 5 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Museum
Historic

Uluborlu Castle

The historic castle ruins in Uluborlu, which was an important defensive structure in the Seljuk period.

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Uluborlu Grand Mosque - Uluborlu Photo: Volker Höhfeld (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Religious

Uluborlu Grand Mosque

Built in the 13th century in the Seljuk period, this mosque is the oldest house of worship in the district. It has historic value with its stone craftsmanship and wooden minbar.

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Historic

Uluborlu Historic Houses

Traditional houses from the Ottoman period stand on the narrow streets of the district centre. These houses, with stone foundations and timber frames, are fine examples of Anatolian civil architecture.

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Historic

Cirimbolu Aqueduct and Bridge

A water aqueduct built between 1869 and 1872 to bring water into the castle, which is also used as a bridge.

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Historic

Gargılı Lala Madrasa (Stone Madrasa)

A madrasa south of the Aladdin Mosque, from the Hamidoğulları period and now in ruins.

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Museum

Uluborlu Museum

The district museum located on the ground and first floors of the Culture Palace.

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Historic

Gafle Fountain

A round fountain built of block stones below the castle.

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Places to Visit Around Isparta Province

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While you are in Uluborlu, you can also see the highlights of Isparta province. These places are in other districts; Uluborlu is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

  • Lake Eğirdir — One of the largest freshwater lakes in Türkiye, of tectonic and karstic origin; the section north of the Kemer Gorge is called Hoyran and the section to the south Eğirdir.
  • Eğirdir Castle — A castle rising at the entrance to the town of Eğirdir, dominating the lake; in the time of the Hamidids it was one of the principality's important centres.
  • Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç) — An ancient city at Yalvaç that was the capital of the Pisidia region in the Roman period; it is one of the cities where St Paul preached.
  • Kovada Lake National Park — A shallow lake south of Eğirdir, reached by the waters of Lake Eğirdir through the Kovada Canal, and the forests around it; ideal for birdwatching, walking and camping.
  • Yazılı Canyon Nature Park — A canyon at Çandır village in Sütçüler, declared a nature park in 1989; it takes its name from verses written on a rock and attributed to the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.
  • Firdevs Paşa (Mimar Sinan) Mosque — A 16th-century mosque in the city centre attributed to Mimar Sinan; together with the bedesten next to it, it is among Isparta's most important Ottoman buildings.

Practical Information for Visiting Uluborlu

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (May–September)
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Uluborlu

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  • Keşkek

    Wheat and lamb are pounded together and cooked for a long time. It is the traditional dish of weddings and festive tables in Uluborlu.

  • Tandır Ekmeği (tandır bread)

    Traditional bread baked in a clay tandır oven, still made in the old way in the villages of Uluborlu.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Uluborlu

  • Seljuk Heritage

    Uluborlu was an important settlement centre in the Seljuk period. The castle, mosque and historic buildings in the district keep alive the cultural heritage of this period.

Local Products

  • Uluborlu Banağı (Uluborlu banak) — Uluborlu Banağı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 15 February 2018 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 327). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Uluborlu Municipality.
  • Uluborlu Çeki Oyası (Uluborlu needle lace) — Uluborlu Çeki Oyası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 9 May 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1100). Product group: handicraft products other than carpets, kilims and woven fabrics. Registered by: Uluborlu Municipality.
  • Uluborlu Kirazı (Uluborlu cherries) — Uluborlu Kirazı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 26 October 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 577). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Uluborlu Municipality.
  • Uluborlu Kuyruğu Sulu Böreği (Uluborlu tail-fat juicy börek) — Uluborlu Kuyruğu Sulu Böreği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 October 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1247). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Uluborlu Municipality.

Economy

The economy of Uluborlu is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Rose cultivation, grain and fruit production are the main sources of income.

How to Get to Uluborlu

Uluborlu is 40 km from Isparta city centre. It is located on the Isparta–Afyon highway. There are regular minibus and dolmuş services to Isparta.

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Uluborlu: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Uluborlu?

The 7 highlights of Uluborlu are: Uluborlu Castle, Uluborlu Grand Mosque, Uluborlu Historic Houses, Cirimbolu Aqueduct and Bridge, Gargılı Lala Madrasa (Stone Madrasa), Uluborlu Museum and Gafle Fountain.

What is there to eat in Uluborlu?

Keşkek and Tandır Ekmeği are the standout flavours on the tables of Uluborlu.

What is Uluborlu famous for?

Uluborlu is known for Uluborlu Banağı and its Seljuk Heritage. It is a product registered as a geographical indication at TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Uluborlu?

Uluborlu is 40 km from Isparta city centre. It is located on the Isparta–Afyon highway. There are regular minibus and dolmuş services to Isparta.

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

Suggested visit duration: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May–September).

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