Birgi Historic Houses
An area in Ödemiş known for the historic houses of Birgi neighbourhood.
View on map9 places to visit in the Ödemiş district of Izmir: Bozdağ, Gölcük Lake and Birgi Historic Houses. Plan your trip to Ödemiş with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Ödemiş is a district of Izmir province, with an area of 1,019 km² and an elevation of 133 metres. According to 2020 population data, its total population is 133,679. To the east of the district lie Kiraz and Beydağ, to the west Bayındır and Tire, to the north Manisa province and to the south Aydın province.
Geography
Ödemiş is 113 km from the provincial centre. Its highest point is Bozdağlar, at 2,157 metres. Gölcük Lake lies within the district’s territory.
Economy
Ödemiş’s economy is based on agriculture: 36% of the district’s area is farmland. The main agricultural products are potatoes, figs, olives, watermelons, sesame, chestnuts, tobacco, grapes and fresh vegetables. The most famous agricultural product is the yellow potato known locally as “kompir”, which can be seen not only in the Aegean Region but in markets across Türkiye. The district’s industry is based on agricultural raw materials.
Culture and Cuisine
The most famous examples of the district’s ready-cooked food culture are Ödemiş Kebabı, Ödemiş Sandviçi and Töngül Pidesi. In home cooking, alongside vegetable and meat dishes, there are delicious herb stews made from various wild plants such as mallow, nettle, iğnelik and sarmaşık, which are unknown in many regions.
History and Culture
Birgi was the capital of the Aydınoğlu Beylik in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 2022, Birgi was named one of the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages. The Kılcızade Mehmet Ağa Mosque was restored in 1811 by the Voivode of Ödemiş.
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