Welcome to Beypazari

Letter from the Mayor

Beypazarı, on the way of the historical Silk Way, is a place of full of cultural richness and natural beauties. According to official records, the population in Beypazarı in 1573 was 10000 people, and this shows the historical importance of Beypazarı.

Today Beypazarı is a city that reflects the beauty, the pleasure of the Turkish Culture with its historical remainings and houses out of Seljuks and Ottoman times, hand works, traditional foods of the palace kitchen.

Our ancestors left us wooden houses at a number of over 3000, a market place dating up to back 200 years, and an appearance without any disconcerted. Just even Beypazarı Houses, coming from the 1800's, show how big our debt of gratitude to our ancestors is.

Therefore our main aim is to protect and carry from present, our houses that present the architectural properties of the Turkish cultur and life style of the Turkish, to future.

We have been in effort to make our wearing like chevre (an embroidered handkerchief), yazma (a special handkerchief on head), bindalli (a local garment the fabric of which is velvet), our handworks like silver filigree, cupperwork, yemeni (a special handkerchief on head), our traditional foods like dolma (grape leaf stuff), kuru (a hard biscuit pecular of Beypazarı),guvech (a cooked special bakery in souil dishes), kapama (a dish with meats), hoshmerim ( a special desert) to survive.

Our aim is to turn out Beypazarı to an open air museum, non similar to other ones. Both our citizens and guests visiting Beypazarı would have chance to get in touch past 150-200 years they will live the close friendshiep with its air, water,traditions,food and wearing. Therefore we name it as journey to the past. We prepared this guide to let you know about to invite them to the journey to the past in Beypazarı.

Our Beypazarı is waiting for you with our traditional hospitality and its historical properties, hand works, special foods, its houses of Gusgana and Canti and İnözü Valley.

Regards
Lawyer Mansur YAVAŞ
Mayor of Beypazarı

HISTORY OF BEYPAZARI Beypazari, 100 km to the west of Ankara, is on the old Ankara-Istanbul route. It remains a cultural and economic center due to its central location near the towns of Ay as, Gudul, Nalhhan and Kibnscik. Throughout Anatolian history, the area surrounding Beypazari was dominated by HITTITES, FRIGIANS, GALATS, ROMANS and the BYZANTINE in the early ages, and later by ANATOLIAN SELJUQS and OTTOMANS. Beypazari was on the important historical routes connecting Istanbul to Ankara and Baghdad. Its first name was Lagia, which means "the country on top of the rocks" in Luwish.

This name was changed after the 6th century AC into Lagania-Anastasiopolis (Anastasios City), referring to the visit of Anastasios, the Byzantine Emperor that ruled between 491-518 AC, to Lagania, which was the center of episcopacy in those days. After their arrival to Anatolia under the command of Sultan Alparslan, the Turks reached the Marmara Sea, going through Beypazari. The town was under the dominance of the Seljuqs for some time, and was a homeland for the migrating Turcoman tribes. The most important of them was the Kayi Tribe. This Turkish tribe received lands from the Seljuq sultan and firstly settled around Ankara, under the command of Gazi Gunduzalp. It is known that the grave of Gazi Gunduzalp, the grandfather of Osman Bey (the founder of the Ottomans) during the Seljuk period, is in the HirkatepeVillage of Beypazari.

Beypazari was a trade center on the Istanbul-Baghdad route during the Seljuq period. The Ottoman dominance on Beypazari began following the conquest of Ankara by Orhan Bey. In those days, Beypazari was a central region connected to Bursa, the Ottoman capital of the time. After 1868, it continued to be an important region connected to Ankara, which eventually became the capital of the Turkish Republic, following the Ottoman capitals of Edirne and Istanbul. Beypazari was also one of the Anatolian Riding Centers, which formed the basis of the Ottoman Land Regime and Military System. Referring to the Riding Chief of the region and the concentration of commercial and economic life, the name was changed into BEG BAZARI.

NATURAL AND HISTORICAL BEAUTIES
Bogazkesen Vault	The vault is situated on rocky ground, at the ends of two water courses, at the Kumsuren site of the county. They say that it was used both for water storage and as an observation tower. There are two graves inside it dating back to the 13th century Seljuqs.
Caravansaray Of Suluhan	The Caravansaray of Suluhan, which can be found in the bazaar, was built in 1613. The plan of Suluhan, which is a classical Ottoman city inn, is shaped like a square. There is a stone in its inscription, on which its history and a sword figure can be seen. Suluhan, with its five arches, has geometrical figures on it. Restoration works are ongoing in the Suluhan Caravansaray.
CULTUR HOUSE (MUSEUM)	The house donated by Nurettin KARAOGUZ as a result of the efforts of the Beypazan municipality was opened to serve as the Beypazari History and Culture House in 1996. The house contains historical maps showing the history of Beypazari, artifacts showing old folk culture and life style, valuable ores, antiques, as well as all kinds of documents explaining the history of Beypazari.
Inozu Valley	The InozuValley situated in the north of Beypazari has a rich appearance with its gorgeous vegetation and cultural remains. The valley consists of steep rocks arising in the shape of the ridge of a fish due to the corrosion from the Inozu stream. The Valley has magnificent sights for visitors who like nature sports.
Ivazdede Tomb	The tomb of Ivazdede, which is called Ayvasik Dede by the locals, is located between the citlenbik trees on the hill near to the top of Salihler Hill, in the east of the town. It is understood from its inscription that the larger of the two graves belongs to Ivazdede, while the smaller one belongs to Mehmet Efendi, the chief of a religious order called Halveti.
Yediler Tomb	Yediler Tomb is located next to the Inozu Stream, 3 km away from Beypazari. In the tomb, there are the graves of 7 dervishes. It is believed that these dervishes came from Horasan and set up a dervish monastery in this region.
Aksemseddin Mosque	Aksemseddin Mosque is located in the city center, on Beytepe Street and it has the typical characteristics of Seljuq architecture. The mosque was built by Aksemseddin, the teacher of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, with a madrasah next to it and was recently restored.
Sultan Alaaddin Mosque	Alaaddin Mosque is located in the Pasa Quarter and it is also named Kebir or Pasha Mosque. It was built between 1221-1225, during the reign of the Seljuq Sultan Aladdin Keykubat. Its walls are made of bricks, it has one minaret, and it is a typical example of Seljuq architecture.
Kursunlu (Evsat Hoca Nasir) Mosque	This mosque is located in the bazaar at the city center. It is an Ottoman work of art from the 17th century. Judging by the old written findings, it is estimated that this mosque was built by Head Vizier Nasuh Pasa, who has many works of art in the neighboring districts.
Karacaahmet Sultan Tomb	The tomb is located in the InozuValley. According to historical sources, a few of the disciples of Karacaahmet had been buried in this tomb.
Gazi Gunduzalp Tomb	The tomb of Gazi Gunduzalp, the grandfather of Osman Gazi (the founder of the Ottoman Empire), is located in Hirkatepe Village, 20 km west of the town. It is believed that he died a fighting a war with the Greeks and was buried there.
Karadavut Tomb	It is located in KuyumcuTekkeVillage, 7 km northeast of Beypazan. The grave of Karadavut who was one of caliphes of Haci Bayram Veli and one of savants during the times of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, is in this tomb.
Egriova Plateau	The Egriova plateau, surrounded by forests, has beautiful vegetation, a pond formed of springs and wooden houses. It gives visitors the opportunity to have some peace alone in nature. The plateau is suitable for golf, trekking, horse riding and every year, a traditional Festival of Karasar Egriova Plateau is organized.
Kirmir Stream and Gönen Valley	Kirmir Stream, which is used for both fishing and agriculture, flows toward the Sakarya River after connecting with Suveri and Ilhan Stream and joining Inozii Stream which flows through the county center. Kirmir Stream is used for promenades by the local residents and is surrounded by verdant trees.
Tekke Valley	Tekke Valley, 10 km to the town, is a wildlife park, but also serves as a picnic area. The valley hosts a traditional Picnic and Casserole Day every year and it is a natural beauty with its fresh air and clean water which is suitable for those who want to stay away from urban crowds.
Dutlu-Tahtalı Thermal Facılıtıes	Dutlu-Tahtali Thermal Facilities, located on the Ankara- Ayas - Beypazan road, about 20 km to the town center, serve visitors with a capacity of 700 beds, suitable for bath and mineral spring cures. The place has a therapeutic effect on illnesses such as rheumatism and skin, respiratory, internal, kidney and calcification diseases.

ECONOMICAL TREASURES

The Beypazarı Carrot and Carrot Delight

Beypazarı provides 60 % of the carrot production of Turkey and is the carrot warehouse with a variety of side products like carrot delight and carrot juice.

Gold And Silver (Telkari) Embroidery

The history of gold embroidery in Beypazan has very ancient roots. For this handicraft, which has a discipline of Craftsman-Apprentice-Assistant and which found its way to present time; gold bullion is used as the raw material and little pearls and red corals are used as accessories. The Telkari art embroidery, which is made of gold and silver knitted as thin wires, is a famous Beypazan handicraft, selected as the best product in the Cultural Giftware Design Contest by the Ministry of Culture.

The Coachwork Industry

Beypazan is the greatest coachwork center in Turkey, with trucks and truck beds produced in the factories in Carpenters Industrial Site with high technology. Beypazan has approximately 40 coachwork factories.

Beypazarı Mıneral Water Of (Karakoca)

Karakoca mineral water springs are situated in the InozuValley, 6 km away from Beypazan. Beypazan mineral water, processed at modern facilities, is sold both to local and world markets.

TRADITIONAL OUTWEAR/CLOTHES AND FOOD

Bindalli And Our Domestic Cloths

This important local clothing of Beypazari,consists of a baggy shaped coat embroidered with silver wire and velvet, salta and an inside shirt. The gold belt which is called as “Kusak”, the muslin, and the bindalli clothing consisting of square shaped, handkerchief sized covers named as “Cevre” and goldwire embroidered tulles and mermersahis, are served as a subject of heritage between generations.These clothings are considered as the most valuable ornaments, given from grandmothers and mothers to their daughters.

Casserole Of Beypazari

The Casserole of Beypazari, is prepared carefully and then cooked in stone ovens and served in earthenwares. The Casserole with meat and rice is a remarkable speciality of the palace kitchen of Beypazari.

Stuffed Vegetables (Dolma) Of Beypazari

It’s a wellknown speciality of Beypazari kitchen and the secret of its unique taste are the special stuffings in fresh vine leafs of Beypazari and the talented hands of Beypazari housewifes.

Sweet Pastry (Baklava) Of Beypazari

It’s the favourite of the Beypazari residents and its speciality is that it’s made from a paste that’s 80 times thinner but still the thickness of the pastry is only 5-6 centimeters. The walnut stuffing is put between each five pastes and cooked for 4 hours. It gives an unforgettable flavour to the ones who taste it.

Hardtack (Kuru) Of Beypazarı

It is a special kind of hardtack belonging to Beypazarı. It’s the nest choice for tea breaks and breakfast meals. It’s made of milk, butter and flour. Its most important feature is that it keeps its freshness for over a year.

Hosmelim

Hosmelim, which is made of flour, milk, cream, butter and sugar, is another speciality of the local foods and it needs a difficult profession to make it, with an excellent taste. Besides Hosmelim, there is another dessert called Percem ,made of flour and walnut, and cooked in butter which is another speciality of Beypazari kitchen.

Praline Of Beypazari

The praline consists of walnut and grapes from the vineyards of Beypazarı. The secret of its high quality is that the grape juice which is turned into a special density is used in the praline without adding sugar and water.

HOUSES From an architectural point of view, Beypazari Houses are buildings of 2 or 3 floors, ofCumbali or Gusganah types. The main walls of the buildings are made of stone, the remaining parts of wood and plastered from the outside.The top of the buildings are covered with a roof of tiles.

The part of the attic raised through the roof of the houses is called Gusgana. This is used as a stock room. The untreated part of the upper floor of the houses is called qanti. According to tradition, people in Beypazari leave this part untreated to emphasize that they are not done in this world. These parts of the houses have been restored.