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4 places to visit in the Yalvaç district of Isparta: Antiokheia Pisidia Ancient City, Yalvaç Museum and Saint Paul Trail. Plan your trip to Yalvaç with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Yalvaç is a district of Isparta province, and one of its most popular places is the historic Çınaraltı plane tree. The tree, which stands in the centre of the district, was planted in the 1200s and placed under protection on 11 May 1992. Yalvaç is the end point of the Saint Paul Trail, Turkey’s second long-distance walking route. The district covers 1,402 km², and its elevation is 1,101 metres.

Etymology

Because the Oghuz tribe that settled here in the Seljuk period were known as ‘Yalvaçlılar’, the settlement came to be called ‘Yalvaç’. The word ‘Yalvaç’ means ‘prophet, messenger, envoy, guide’ in the dictionary.

History

Yalvaç is a very ancient settlement, and research shows that its history goes back to the Late Neolithic period. In ancient Anatolia, the settlement in the Pisidia region came under Persian rule in 546 BC. In 275 BC, the Seleucids founded the city of Antiocheia Pisidia as an advanced outpost against the Phrygians. After the Battle of Myriokephalon, Yalvaç passed under the rule of the Anatolian Seljuk State, and permanent Turkish settlement began.

Tourism and Cittaslow

Today Yalvaç is one of the 21 Cittaslow (Slow City) towns in Türkiye and one of 287 worldwide. It earned this title at the 2012 Cittaslow General Assembly held in Novellara, Italy, thanks to its work to protect its historical and cultural values in line with sustainable development goals.

Geography

Yalvaç lies in the western part of the Mediterranean Region, in the northernmost part of the Lakes District. It is the largest and northernmost district in Isparta province after the city centre. The highest point of the district is Gelincik Ana Peak, at 2,531 metres, on the Yalvaç–Çay border.

History and Culture

After the proclamation of the Republic, Yalvaç was attached to Isparta. Yalvaç was attached to Konya in 1840, and a municipal administration was set up in 1864. Yalvaç is one of the Cittaslow (Slow City) towns.

Highlights

The Battle of Myriokephalon in 1176, between Sultan Kılıç Arslan II and the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos, definitively brought Yalvaç under Turkish rule. Yalvaç was founded as Antiocheia between 300 and 280 BC by Antiochus I as a Seleucid colony.

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Places to Visit in Yalvaç

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 1 Museum
  • 1 Other
Ancient City

Antiokheia Pisidia Ancient City

An ancient city founded by the Seleucids in 275 BC as an advanced outpost against the Galatians.

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Yalvaç Museum - Yalvaç Photo: Maderibeyza at Turkish Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Museum

Yalvaç Museum

The museum in Yalvaç.

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Other

Saint Paul Trail

Turkey's second long-distance walking route, which ends in Yalvaç.

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Historic

Old Yalvaç Houses

Traditional two-storey Yalvaç houses built from mudbrick and timber. They reflect the architectural features of the Turkish house and are also known as Yalvaç Houses.

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Places to Visit Around Isparta Province

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While you are in Yalvaç, you can also see the highlights of Isparta province. These places are in other districts; Yalvaç is about 105 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 Yalvaç

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (April–September)
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Yalvaç

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  • Yalvaç Pidesi

    Thin-crusted pide with minced meat, baked in a stone oven. It is served hot with a layer of butter and is the district's best-known dish.

  • Höşmerim (cheese and flour dessert)

    A traditional dessert made with fresh cheese, flour and sugar, caramelised in a pan. It is an essential dessert at weddings and festivals in Yalvaç.

  • Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)

    Wheat and lamb are cooked together and pounded for a long time. Keşkek, prepared in Yalvaç especially for weddings, is served drizzled with butter.

  • Yalvaç hamursuzu (hamursuz bread)

    Hamursuz bread with a registered geographical indication, produced through the bakery tradition kept alive by women in Yalvaç.

  • Yalvaç güllacı (layered milk dessert)

    A dessert made by thickening milk with yoghurt water, layering it with wafers and pouring syrup over it. It is favoured at weddings, festivals and special occasions.

  • Manda kaymağı (buffalo cream)

    Buffalo cream specific to Yalvaç.

  • Kıymalı Su Böreği (minced-meat water börek)

    The most common börek in Yalvaç, served to guests at festivals and weddings. The local flavours made in its bakeries have become a kind of fast food.

  • Boranı (bean or spinach dish)

    Another local dish known in Yalvaç, made from beans or spinach.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Yalvaç

  • Saint Paul Pilgrimage Route

    Antiokheia Pisidia is an important stop in Christian history, where Saint Paul preached on his first missionary journey. For this reason, Christian pilgrims from around the world visit Yalvaç.

  • Yalvaç Culture House Tradition

    The traditional houses of Yalvaç are cultural heritage buildings that reflect the way of life of the local people. Some houses have been restored and opened to visitors as house museums.

Local Products

  • Yalvaç Hamursuzu — Yalvaç Hamursuzu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 27 February 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 487). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Yalvaç Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Yalvaç Roses and Rose Oil — The rose-growing tradition of Isparta continues in Yalvaç. Roses grown in the district are used to produce rose oil and rose water.
  • Yalvaç Elması (Yalvaç apples) — Apples grown on the district's fertile plains, known for their firmness and flavour. Apples stored over winter in particular keep their freshness for a long time.

Economy

Yalvaç's economy is based on agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. Apples, roses, grain and sugar beet are the main crops. Cultural tourism, thanks to the ancient city of Antiokheia, is an important source of income.

How to Get to Yalvaç

Yalvaç is 105 km from Isparta city centre. It lies on the Afyon–Antalya highway. Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport is about 120 km away. Minibus and bus services connect the district with Isparta and neighbouring provinces.

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Yalvaç: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Yalvaç?

The 4 standout places in Yalvaç are Antiokheia Pisidia Ancient City, Yalvaç Museum, Saint Paul Trail and Old Yalvaç Houses.

What is there to eat in Yalvaç?

Yalvaç Pidesi, Höşmerim, Keşkek and Yalvaç hamursuzu (hamursuz bread) are the standout dishes on Yalvaç's tables.

What is Yalvaç famous for?

Yalvaç is known for Yalvaç Hamursuzu and the Saint Paul Pilgrimage Route. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Yalvaç?

Yalvaç is 105 km from Isparta city centre. It lies on the Afyon–Antalya highway. Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport is about 120 km away. Minibus and bus services connect the district with Isparta and neighbouring provinces.

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

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (April–September).

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