Even in 2016, there are still small towns around Turkey where you can experience the lifestyle of the Ottomans, evident in both the architecture and slow-paced lifestyle of these towns. Dotted with two to three-story homes architecturally designed by the Ottomans, these well-kept secrets will take you back to the 17th century.
Beypazari in Ankara: Known as a hidden sanctuary for a peaceful escape from the daily grind in Turkey’s capital city, Beypazari is a small, historic town just two hours away from Ankara. The town is divided into two parts with one side of town offering pieces of history in tranquil settings while the other side of town, known as “New Beypazarı,” has little to offer tourists. Still, the town of Beypazari was founded on the lands of several ancient civilizations including the Hittites, Phrygians, Ancient Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and finally the Ottomans. The architecture of the town’s establishments is purely Ottoman, as this was the last civilization to occupy the area. The historic town of Beypazari is just a two-hour minibus ride from Ankara and tourists can easily take the Ankaray Metro Line to the Akkopru bus stop located at Ankara’s large shopping mall “Anka-Mall” on Gazi Street to get to the minibuses. From there, just hop one of the minibuses heading to Beypazari and you will be there in less than two hours.
Odunpazari in Eskisehir: Included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the town of Odunpazari in Eskisehir province is one of the first residential districts established in the region and represents a more modern, living Ottoman style. While walking down the narrow, winding roads of Odunpazari, you will quickly become mesmerized by the intricate wooden design of local homes and beautiful bay windows. Take the tram line from downtown Eskisehir to the Ataturk High School bus stop and walk two minutes down the street where you will find the houses of Odunpazari.
Safranbolu in Karabuk: The 3,000-year-old city of Safranbolu is a popular destination for those interested in seeing the unique beauty of the region’s bridges and homes, as well as ancient Ottoman architecture of the han, local mosques, Turkish baths and madrasa, attracting roughly 600,000 domestic and foreign tourists a year. The region’s traditional buildings built between the 18th and 20th centuries are generally three-stories high with six-to-eight rooms, and are especially popular among visitors who flock to the region during state and religious holidays. This classic Ottoman town, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, functioned as a key point on the eastern and western trading routes for centuries; from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Even though the town reflects Ottoman architecture, archaeological studies show that human settlement in these lands dates back to the Prehistoric Age Safranbolu is also home to ancient tombs cut out of rock, along with an ancient Roman temple. Located just 8 kilometers from downtown Karabuk, the town of Safranbolu is easily accessible via the Bolu Ankara Highway. Just take the Gerede exit off the highway and it will take you to the town.
Tarakli in Sakarya: A town that is known as a protector of Ottoman legacy in northwestern Turkey, Tarakli is located far off the beaten path where visitors can see ancient wooden homes and narrow streets that date back three centuries. Listed as a cattalo destination in 2011 by UNESCO, the town is known for its beauty and is bustling with visitors on the weekends. The locals here adopt an Ottoman inspired lifestyle which makes you feel like you have literally left the modern world. Local craftsmen offer handmade crafts, wooden combs and organic products in local bazaars and the Yunus Pasha Mosque if located here, along with several natural wonders including a natural spring, the Hark Canyon, the Acisu River and the Hamza Spring which are the most popular touristic spots in the town. For local Istanbulites, there is one bus which goes to Tarakli daily from Istanbul’s Harem Bus Terminal. The bus leaves the terminal at 10 a.m. and the duration of the trip is one-and-a-half hours.
Hamamonu in Ankara : Located in the Altindag district of Ankara, the town of Hamamonu is one of the most popular historic towns in Turkey. After undergoing extensive restorations, the town has become a tourism hub of local and foreign tourists in recent years. Ancient Ottoman mosques and Ottoman-style homes of this town give visitors a feeling of delight and are conveniently located just a few miles away from the city center. Located near downtown Altindag, the town of Hamamonu is a short three-to-four minute walk away from Sihhiye and is a short bus ride away from the districts of Kizilay, Sihhiye and Uluss located on Hippodrome Street.
Source: Daily Sabah
