Beypazarı, Ankara

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Beypazarı
Taşmektep in Beypazarı, Ankara
Taşmektep in Beypazarı, Ankara
Location of Beypazarı, Ankara within Turkey.
Location of Beypazarı, Ankara within Turkey.
Coordinates: 40°10′N 31°55′E / 40.167, 31.917
Country Flag of Turkey Turkey
Region Central Anatolia
Province Ankara
Government
 - Governor Hikmet Aydın
 - Mayor Mansur Yavaş
Area
 - District 1,814 km² (700.4 sq mi)
Elevation 675 m (2,215 ft)
Population (2000)[1]
 - District 51,841
 - Density 28.58/km² (74/sq mi)
 - Urban 34,441
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 06xxx
Area code(s) 0312
Licence plate 06
Website: www.beypazari-bld.gov.tr

Beypazarı, ancient Lagania, is a town and district of Ankara Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, approximately 100 km west of the city of Ankara. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 51,841 of which 34,441 live in the town of Beypazarı.[1][2] The district covers an area of 1,814 km² (700 sq mi),[3] and the average elevation in the center is 675 m (2,215 ft). The district contains three other small towns (Karaşar, Uruş, Kırbaşı) and 64 villages. It used to be an important city in Asia Minor in ancient times.

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[edit] Etymology

The name Beypazarı means The Bey's market in Turkish, as in the Ottoman period this was an important military base and the cavalry stationed here were an important element of the local economy.

[edit] History

The area has a long history of occupation by Hittites, Phrygians, Ancient Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and the Ottoman Empire.

Originally a stop on a trade route connecting Istanbul to Baghdad, Beypazarı was known as Lagania (Greek: Λαγάνια), meaning rocky peak in the Luwian language during the Roman and Byzantine times, and the town was a regional administrative center.

Lagania belonged to the province of Galatia, which was occupied early in the 3rd century BC by Celtic tribes. The Gallic region was later (189 B.C.) subjected by the Romans and it became two Roman provinces: Galatia Prima and Galatia Secunda. Lagania was in the province of Galatia Prima but later received the name of Anastasiopolis during the reign of Emperor Anastasius I (491-518) after he had visited the city and liked it so much.

Like most Luwian cities located in West Anatolia, Lagania supported the Trojans during the famous Trojan war.

The town was also an episcopal see, suffragan of Ancyra (modern Ankara), mentioned by the Notitiae Episcopatuum up to the twelfth and thirteenth century.

The town was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the 12th century, and settled by various lords of the Oghuz Turks, eventually becoming part of the Ottoman Empire. Gazi Gündüzalp who is the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, is buried in the Beypazarı village of Hırkatepe.

[edit] Beypazarı today

Beypazarı today is a small town in a rural district famous for its carrots, (producing nearly 60% of Turkey's carrots), silverwork (Telkari), and a high quality natural mineral water. The crystal mineral trona, a kind of natural soda used in glass-making is extracted in Beypazarı.

With its rich history, architectural heritage and attractive rocky countryside Beypazarı is becoming increasingly attractive to visitors, especially day-trippers from Ankara. The cobbled streets of white Ottoman period buildings are particularly attractive; many of the old houses have been restored as hotels and restaurants (and are also popular with Turkish film directors looking for authentic locations. Every June the town holds its popular Traditional Historical Houses, Handicrafts, Carrot and stew Festival. The visitors of course are bringing valuable income to the town, shopping for silverware and providing good custom for the food markets and restaurants.

80-layer baklava (which is usually 40- layer), a speciality of Beypazarı.
80-layer baklava (which is usually 40- layer), a speciality of Beypazarı.

For many visitors a major attraction is the cuisine, which includes typical Turkish dishes such as the yoghurt drink ayran, tarhana, stuffed vine leaves, home-made sausage mumbar, and a stew cooked in a stone-oven güveç. Sweets include the sweet cream pudding called höşmerim and pastries including a dry buttery biscuit called Beypazarı kurusu, and a renowned 80-layer baklava. They are also very inventive with their carrots, drinking carrot juice and producing carrot-flavoured Turkish Delight and carrot ice-cream. Beypazarı is surrounded by good farmland and the fresh ingredients are a large part of why Beypazarı's cooling is so popular with visitors. One of the best-known eateries is the restored Ottoman house, the Taş Mektep restaurant. A popular gift to take back home is the sticky sausage-shaped fruit and walnut sweet sucuk.

The town is unusual in Turkey for celebrating an Islamic festival (Regaip Kandili, the conception of the prophet Muhammad) with lights and fireworks.

Beypazarı is a member of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions (EAHTR).[4]

[edit] Places of interest

Beypazarı as viewed from the top of Hıdırlık Hill.
Beypazarı as viewed from the top of Hıdırlık Hill.
  • Hıdırlık Tepesi -hilltop view of the town
  • Ottoman period buildings include the 17th century Suluhan Caravanserai, and the 13th century Sultan Alaedin Mosque.
  • The Kültür Evi museum displaying items from Hittite, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times
  • Inözü valley - steep-walled canyon, a green and pleasant place for a stroll, or to explore the caves, tombs and churches carved into the rock. There are cafes and restauarants for refreshments.
  • There are many places for walks and picnics in the countryside surrounding Beypazarı including the banks of the Kirmir River, and Eğriova Yaylası and Tekke Yaylası areas of high meadow in the forest.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Turkish Statistical Institute. Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey (XLS) (Turkish). Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
  2. ^ GeoHive. Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units (English). Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
  3. ^ Statoids. Statistical information on districts of Turkey (English). Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  4. ^ European Association of Historic Towns and Regions. Historic Towns of Turkey (DOC) (English). Retrieved on 2008-03-28.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 40°10′03″N 31°55′16″E / 40.1675, 31.92111