Bolu Attractions
Western Black Sea Region
Sandwiched between the densely forested mountains of Bolu Dag (1,829m/6,002ft) to the north and the Köroglu Daglari (2,378m/7,804ft) to the south, the provincial capital of Bolu is situated in the Bolu Ovasi, a small basin west of the Bolu Kargi depression. It is a busy town with timber processing, wool and leather manufacturing industries, and is plentifully supplied with timber from the adjacent mountains and with pastureland for raising livestock. It is also a major source of dairy produce for nearby Ankara and Istanbul, to which cities it is linked by a good fast road. Bolu in fact has been a thriving commercial center ever since ancient times and was a halt on the trade route to central Anatolia. The town has a lively market district and a reputation for producing some of the best cooks in Turkey.
History
Called Bythnia in antiquity, Bolu was founded by the Bythnian King Prusias I (235-183 B.C.), originally on a site about 4km/2.5mi east of the present town. It was enlarged under Hadrian. Antinoos, the town's most notable citizen in Roman times, was a favorite of Hadrian's and was deified by the emperor after drowning himself in the Nile -a sacrificial suicide intended to influence the gods in favor of Hadrian who had fallen seriously ill. Duly recovered the emperor honored Antinoos with posthumous deification and his own personal cult. Under Theodosius II (408-450) the town became the capital of the new province of Honorias, and in the Byzantine period was the seat of a metropolitan bishop. Bayazit I (1389-1402) initiated new building during the Ottoman period. In 1668 the town was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, as a result of which practically nothing from earlier centuries remains.
Sandwiched between the densely forested mountains of Bolu Dag (1,829m/6,002ft) to the north and the Köroglu Daglari (2,378m/7,804ft) to the south, the provincial capital of Bolu is situated in the Bolu Ovasi, a small basin west of the Bolu Kargi depression. It is a busy town with timber processing, wool and leather manufacturing industries, and is plentifully supplied with timber from the adjacent mountains and with pastureland for raising livestock. It is also a major source of dairy produce for nearby Ankara and Istanbul, to which cities it is linked by a good fast road. Bolu in fact has been a thriving commercial center ever since ancient times and was a halt on the trade route to central Anatolia. The town has a lively market district and a reputation for producing some of the best cooks in Turkey.
History
Called Bythnia in antiquity, Bolu was founded by the Bythnian King Prusias I (235-183 B.C.), originally on a site about 4km/2.5mi east of the present town. It was enlarged under Hadrian. Antinoos, the town's most notable citizen in Roman times, was a favorite of Hadrian's and was deified by the emperor after drowning himself in the Nile -a sacrificial suicide intended to influence the gods in favor of Hadrian who had fallen seriously ill. Duly recovered the emperor honored Antinoos with posthumous deification and his own personal cult. Under Theodosius II (408-450) the town became the capital of the new province of Honorias, and in the Byzantine period was the seat of a metropolitan bishop. Bayazit I (1389-1402) initiated new building during the Ottoman period. In 1668 the town was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, as a result of which practically nothing from earlier centuries remains.
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Yedigöller Milli Parki
This park, not far from Bolu, contains seven lakes, although three of these dry up in the summer. The lakes were formed by landslides and are surrounded by forests.
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Abant Gölü
The pretty lake and beautiful surroundings make Abant Gölü a popular destination for day tripping from Ankara and Istanbul.
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Karadere
The forested valley of Karadere is an ideal destination for those interested in hiking and other outdoor pursuits.
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Köroglu Daglari
The Köroglu Daglari is a high alpine meadow area that is sparsely populated and towered over by the Köroglu Tepesi at 2,378 m.
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Mudurnu, Turkey
(Near Bolu)
The town of Mudurnu is famous for producing a long line of famous wrestlers. Historically it was once known for its fine knife making trade.
Büyük Kaplica
Hot springs escaping from faults along the edge of the Bolu basin have transformed this little spot 5km/3mi south of Bolu into quite a sizable spa. Treatment for rheumatism and sciatica (hotel).
Goynuk, Turkey
(Near Bolu)
Göynük, situated about 100km/60mi southwest of Bolu in the western Köroglu Daglari, is well worth a visit. In addition to its many old Pontic townhouses and an Ottoman bath house, it boasts the Aksemsettin Mausoleum (1494), tomb of the first hoca (moslem teacher) to summon the faithful to prayer in the Haya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) following the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453.
Orta Hamam
Among the sights of interest in Bolu which have survived are the Orta Hamam (baths), thought to have been built in the 14th or 15th century; a well preserved Ottoman caravanserai, on a hill near the market district north of the town center; and, in the town center itself, the Ulu Cami (also called Karadaki Camii, ca. 1390) with remains of old inscriptions and antique sculptures.
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