Bilecik

Bilecik, lying in the green fertile lands of the river valley, is the eastern neighbor of Bursa in Marmara region. Along with its districts, it is the birthplace of the Osmanli dynasty, whose members founded the Ottoman Empire. Its historical background goes back to 1950 BC, with many Anatolian civilizations in this Bithynian region such as Hittites, Phrygians, Lycians, Persians and Macedonians living here. Its earliest names are known as Agrilion and Agrillum. During the Byzantine Empire the city was called Belokeme.
The province has an area of 4.307 square kilometers with approximately 200,000 people. Bilecik is worth visiting with its mausoleum of Seyh (Sheik) Edebali, who was an important influential person in the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. Nearby is the mausoleum of Orhan Gazi. Every September a festival is held in his memory. Bilecik played also an important role during the War of Independence led by Ataturk.

If you would like to see the whole of the history of Turkey before your eyes, then you should visit the Ethnographical Museum. There are many historical tombs and mosques in the province. Onyx handicrafts are recommended as a souvenir from Bilecik of which are great value.

Some of the sites of interest in the province are: Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi mosques, Seyh Edebali and Mal Hatun mausoleums, KOprulu Mehmet Pasha mosque, KOprulu Caravanserai, Kaplikaya tombs, Rustem Pasha mosque, and Gulalan Pavilion.
Author: Arif Cagrici