Bilecik Attractions
North-western Anatolian highland
The small provincial capital of Bilecik (Ertogrul), a modern agricultural center at the foot of the Ahir Dag northwest of Eskisehir, is now thoroughly eclipsed by its larger industrial neighbors Eskisehir and Bozüyük. It still has some well cared for Ottoman houses set in large gardens, the last surviving remnants of the old town. Knowledge of Bilecik's history is very fragmentary. It was called Agrilium (Agrilion) in antiquity, and under Byzantium was known as Belikoma. Relics of the Greek period are found everywhere and on the market a Roman sarcophagus serves as a fountain trough. The site of the ancient town was a little above the present one.
The small provincial capital of Bilecik (Ertogrul), a modern agricultural center at the foot of the Ahir Dag northwest of Eskisehir, is now thoroughly eclipsed by its larger industrial neighbors Eskisehir and Bozüyük. It still has some well cared for Ottoman houses set in large gardens, the last surviving remnants of the old town. Knowledge of Bilecik's history is very fragmentary. It was called Agrilium (Agrilion) in antiquity, and under Byzantium was known as Belikoma. Relics of the Greek period are found everywhere and on the market a Roman sarcophagus serves as a fountain trough. The site of the ancient town was a little above the present one.
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Sogut, Turkey
(Near Bilecik)
Built on the site of ancient Thebasion, Sögüt was the starting point of the Ottoman Empire.
Belikoma Kalesi
In the lower town of Bilecik can be seen the remains of Belikoma Kalesi, a Byzantine fortress (now a monastery) which fell to Osman Gazi, son of Ertogrul and first in line of the Ottoman rulers (1299-1326). Nilphur, a beautiful Greek princess taken captive at the time, later became the wife of Osman's son and successor Orhan. The eight-arch bridge over the Karasu was constructed by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan (1490-1588).
Bozuyuk, Turkey
(Near Bilecik)
Having been almost completely redeveloped in the mid 1970s, the mainly industrial Bozüyük's only building of any importance is the Kasim Pasa Camii, erected by Sinan. About 20km/12.5mi east, on the Eskisehir border, lies an early Bronze Age settlement mound, Demircihüyük, finds from which can be seen in the museum in Eskisehir.
Edebali Türbesi
The mausoleum of Edebali, warrior of Islam (Gazi) and comrade-in-arms of Ertogrul the progenitor of the Ottoman dynasty, occupies a pleasant site below Bilecik, a short distance from the Orhan Camii. It also contains the tombs of several other Ottoman warriors and ladies of rank who played a part in early Ottoman history.
Orhan Camii
This simple Early Ottoman mosque, a single small domed hall, is situated a little way below Bilecik. Erected in the earliest years of the Ottoman period (13th/14th century) it continues to have great significance for the Turks. The original minaret is now no more than a stump set on a rock to one side of the mosque, those seen today being added in the 19th century
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