From Past to Future, Our Unique History and Culture Heritage - Birgi.

Birgi, hidden in a lush area on the cool mountains of Bozdağlar, is a nice village that should be visited and seen with its high stone walled, pantiled, wood window and anteroom houses that can be seen through a century old plane and walnut trees.

Birgi, which is a village of Ödemiş and 110km from Izmir, is like a historical and cultural treasure that remained secret with its lush texture. History of Birgi, a small village of 3000 inhabitants, dates back to 2000s B.C. Each civilization left traces from itself to Birgi that has survived until today by being subject to Phrygians, Persians, Kingdom of Pergamon, Byzantines, Romans, Aydinids and then the Ottomans.

Birgi is one of the places that managed to get famous since the early ages. Birgi and its surrounding, where the Lydians, Persians, Helen and Romans came or lived, was called Pyrgion in the Byzantine period. It was the Capital city of Aydınids which was founded by Aydınoğlu Mehmed Bey in 1308.

Places to visit in Birgi.

Since the traces of the Seljuks and Ottoman historic texture are in quite good condition in the entire village of Birgi, it was declared as archeological site in 1996 and put under protection. Birgi village also was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012. It is a village worth seeing with its narrow streets and ancient mansions, madrasas, hamams (baths), mausoleums and mosques, which bear the traces of the civilizations living thereon throughout history. Aydoğdu Mehmet Bey Mosque (the Great Mosque), Aydınoğulları Mausoleum, Sultan Shah Mausoleum, Çakırağa Mansion, Ataullah Efendi Madrasa (Imam-ı Birgivi Madrasa), Umurbey Statue, Imam-i Birgivi Cemetery, Çakır Ağa Mansion, Güdük Minaret Mosque are the main attractions that should be visited in Birgi. In addition, Bozdağ and Gölcük are the natural wonders to be seen.

Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque (the Great Mosque), Aydınoğulları Mausoleum, Sultan Shah Mausoleum, Imam-ı Birgi Mausoleum, Çakırağa Mansion, Sandıkoğlu Mansion, Ataullah Efendi Madrasa (Imam-ı Birgivi Madrasa), Karaoğlu Mosque, Dervish Aga Mosque, Derviş Ağa Darülhadisi (Çukur Madrasa), Şeyh Muhiddin Hamam (Çukur Hamam),

Ödemiş Gölcük Plateau

Gölcük Plateau, about 20 km to Birgi, is 18 km to Ödemiş and 130 km to Izmir. Drawing attention with its natural beauties, Gölcük welcomes its visitors with a different beauty every season. There is a 810-decares lake in Gölcük Plateau which is surrounded by big trees at 1,050 meter height from the sea on the top of Bozdağ. Those who visit the region used as picnic and recreational area to go fishing and boating tours. In the winter, however, the lake is sometimes frozen

Bozdağ Ski Resort

Bozdağ is a village of mountain houses established at an elevation of 1.150 meters, 22 km north of Birgi. It takes its name from Bozdağlar, one of the highest mountains of Western Anatolia. Due to having numerous forestlands and its natural beauty in terms of its geographical location, Bozdag is a frequent destination for mountaineers and nature lovers throughout the year. Thanks to the picnic and recreation areas in the town, it is under the spotlight of domestic and foreign visitors. In addition, opening of Bozdağ Ski Resort has made the region a center of attraction. There are three ski tracks and a rope railway for both amateur and professional skiers at the ski resort in Bozdağ. "Mountaineering Festivals" are held in Bozdağ every February. Members of the mountaineering clubs who come to the town camp between these dates and do trekking. Bozdağalso has got suitable geographical conditions for paragliding. Paragliding enthusiasts show major interest to the town especially in the spring and summer.

Kemer Plateau and Yılanlı Plateau

Kemer Plateau and Yılanlı Plateau are built on a high ridge and plain split by streams on the southern slopes of the Bozdağ Mountains. Both plateaus, which mostly host daily visitors, are famous for the cool weather and the green texture there. It is possible to reach Kemer Plateau and Yılanlı Plateau by bus from Birgi, and mountain climbing, trekking and paragliding can be done in these plateaus.

Local Bazaars

Bazaars of the Aegean Sea where various kinds of vegetables and fruits are sold are also very famous. We recommend you to spend the end of your holiday with these bazaars and not to return home empty-handed. You can find the best and the freshest of many local products natural from the manufacturer such as any kind of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits (apple, orange, persimmon, local fruits), local dairy products, and olive oil. Do not forget to visit Birgi Village Bazaar on Mondays and Ödemiş Bazaar on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Umur Bey

Umur Bey, or by his full appellation, Aydınoğlu Gazi Umur Bey (d. 1348) is the second and the most famous leader of the Aydınids. He is a Turkish soldier and statesman who gained great reputation as a sailor. His life is told in an eipc way in the work called "Düstur-Nâme" by the poet Enverî. He was born in Leşkeri-eli (in the territories of Aydınids) in 1309. He is the second of the five sons of Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey, the founder of the Aydınids. His name means "works, obligations, tasks". His Islamic name is “Bahaüddün” which means "Beauty of Religion". He was appointed as the Governor of Izmir at a young age and gained his reputation by pirating with the navy that his father founded in Ayasuluk (present Selçuk). He organized raids to Chios Island, Bozcaada (Tenedos), Eğriboz (Euboea), the Morea and the Rumeli coasts. After the death of his father, he headed Aydınids with the approval of his other brothers in 1334. His reign lasted 14 years until his death in 1348. Aydınids had the brightest days under his reign.

— BİRGİ PHOTO GALLERY —