WHERE TO VISIT ?

MUSEUMS AND ANCIENT CITIES

Bolu Museum: The museum is located inside the Culture Center and the works exhibited in the museum are obtained from various dated excavations executed at the region. Among these works are the head piece of a statue, which is suspected to belong to the Roman King Antonius, coins from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman period, statues, inscriptions and ethnographic house hold objects.

Telephone of the Museum: (+90 - 374) 215 16 91

Bolu (Bithynium - Claudiopolis): According to the archeological data, the first settlement period of the Bolu plain extends up to the BC 3rd thousands. The settlement of the Bithynium - Claudiopolis city, located on the hills inside the city center extends to BC 7th century according to the findings from Hisartepe excavation in 1978. Ruins of Antinous Temple and a structure which is assumed to be the theatre, coins, pots, bottles, statues and tomb steles belonging to various periods are discovered in the excavations executed until today. These works and remnants are exhibited in the Bolu Museum.

Seben Rock Houses: ( Old Settlement Region) There are rock houses having more than one floors carved in the surface of the rocks of the deep valleys which are in the vicinity of Çeltik Creek, Hoçaş, Kaşbıyıklar and Yuva villages of Seben District.

CASTLES

Gerede Asar Castle: The castle is located to the southeast of Örencik Village of Gerede District. There are abundant Byzantine period ceramic remnants scattered on the field surrounding the castle indicating that the castle is from the Byzantine Period. Also there is a cave entrance above the castle facing north.

RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS

The mosques of Bolu province are Buyuk Mosque (Yildirim Beyazit Mosque), Kadi Mosque, Sarachane Mosque, Imaret Mosque, Ilica Mosque, Suleyman Pasa Mosque, Yildirim Mosque, Kanuni Mosque, Yukari Tekke Mosque and Eskicaga Yildirim Mosque.

MAUSOLEUMS

The mausoleums of Bolu province are Tokaî Hayreddin Mausoleum, Akşemseddin Mausoleum, Omer Sekkin Mausoleum, Asagi Tekke Mausoleum, Ummi Kemal Mausoleum, Kasım Dede Mausoleum and Babahuzir Mausoleum.

INNS AND BATHS

Yukari Tashan (Upper Stone Inn): The Yukari Tashan is located at the Bolu central Buyuk Mosque quarter and was constructed by Abdullah Asa in 1804.

Orta Hamam (Central Bath): This bath was constructed by the order of Yildirim Beyazit in 1389. The bath was constructed in the style of double bath and the interior sections are highly decorated. It is located at the city center.

Tabaklar Bath: The bath was constructed by the order of Tavil Mehmet Pasa in the 16th Century. The bath has two separate sections and the interior is covered with marbles.

Sultan Bath: This bath was constructed by the order of Sokullu Mehmet Pasa in 16th Century. The bath was constructed in the style of double bath.. It is located at the city center.

Suleyman Pasa Bath: The bath is located in Goynuk District. It was constructed by the order of Gazi Suleyman Paua in 1335.

Yildirim Beyazit Bath: The bath is located in Mudurnu District and is adjacent to the Mosque having the same name. It is the most beautiful bath among the other baths constructed in the same period. The bath was constructed in 1382. It is one of the most original samples of early period Ottoman baths. The bath attracts attention with its corolla entrance gate and dome crossings.

Yildirim Bath: The bath is located in the Eski Caga Village of Yenicaga District. The bath was constructed in the name of Yildirim Beyazit in 1388 and is an important architectural creation.

Asagi Bath (Lower Bath): The bath is located in the Kitirler quarter of Gerede District. It was constructed from the rubble stone by the end of 14th century.

GOYNUK HOUSES
The Goynuk District had been announced as "Urban Protected Area ". The district accommodates a rich number of old Turkish Houses. The houses in this district are mostly constructed by the beginning of the 20th century. In the sitting rooms of the some houses, the ceiling is adorned by various patterns. There are courtyards called "Hayat" (living) in front of the houses.

MUDURNU HOUSES

The Mudurnu District is also announced as Rural Protected Area and accommodates a rich number of old Turkish Houses. The houses of Mudurnu display similar properties with the houses of Göynük in the scope of civil architecture and these houses representing the history and culture of the district are under protection.

PRESERVED AREAS

NATIONAL PARKS

Bolu - Yedigöller National Park

Location: The Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park is in the north of the Bolu province, and south of Zonguldak in the western Black Sea region.

Transportation: The park can be reached via the Yenicaga road, 152km off the Ankara - Istanbul highway. The Bolu - Yedigoller route is closed during winter, which means transport is only available via the Yenicaga - Mengen - Yazicik road.

Highlights: The park is best known for the lakes formed by landslides, the rich plant life which gives dense coverage to the area, and the abundance of trout living in the lake. The structure of the land, which has tendencies to subside, is the main factor in the lake's formation.

The dominant plant cover is beech trees, and there are also oaks, hornbeams, alders, black pine, Scotch pine, firs elm and lime trees. As a result of effective protection of plant and animal life, the animals inside the park like deer, pigs, wolves, foxes and squirrels are increasing in number. There is also a deer protection area.

This area saw the first cultured trout farm in Turkey, established in 1969, and as a result trout fishing is a popular activity. The sightseeing tower at Kapankaya, inside the park, offers a great opportunity to view a wide area over the lakes and unique landscape. One of the most famous items is the monumental tree signboard on the way to the tower.

Facilities: Within the park are guest-houses, bungalows, tents and caravans, as well as cafes and restaurants.

Bolu - Bolu Hazelnut Nature Reserve

Location: The area is 35km north of Bolu, in the western Black Sea region.

Transportation: The park can be reached via the Bolu-Yigica highway. Bolu is between Istanbul and Ankara, and is well connected by public transport.

Highlights: The area of 460 hectares has a unique ecosystem in which the endangered Bolu hazelnut tree flourishes. It grows naturally only in Turkey, and is noted for its height (25-30m) and broad trunk around 1m in diameter. In the area there are many other species of trees includiing the Uludag fir, Scotch pine, larch, beech, poplar, alder, plane and lime. There are also rare species of deer, plus bears, wolves, foxes, pigs, rabbits, trout and carp.

Bolu - Akdogan (Mid-wife Pine) Nature Reserve

Location: The nature reserve is near the village of Yeniguney, in the central district of Bolu in the Western Black Sea region.

Transportation: Yeniguney village lies 2.5km off the E5 Ankara-Istanbul highway.

Highlights: This is the only place in the world where the endangered Midwife pine tree grows and spreads naturally. In addition to this rare species, others include the larch and oak trees. The forest is also home to pigs, foxes, weasels, rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs, partridges, stock-doves, turtle doves, cuckoos, owls, bee-eaters, woodpeckers and goldfinches.

Bolu - Kökez Nature Reserve

Location: The park is near Atacak, in the district of Bolu in the Western Black Sea province.

Transportation: It is accessible via the Bolu-Seben state highway, then taking the forest road after 18km from Bolu.

Highlights: The 324 hectares have a very untouched and rare forest ecosystem, with exceptionally tall and old Uludag fir trees, plus beech and horn-beam trees. The forest also contains wild cherry, hazelnut and strawberries, and is a home to deer, pigs, bears, wolves, foxes and rabbits.

Bolu - Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve

Location: The forest is in the region of Mudurnu, near the villages of Akyol and Kuskavagi, south of Bolu in the Western Black Sea region.

Transportation: It can be reached via the Bolu-Abant Taskesti road.

Highlights: Suluklu Gol (Lake) has a unique forest ecosystem, caused by the tectonic movements of the earth which has created a very damp environment. Species of trees found here are larch, Scotch pine, fir, beech, oak, popular, horn-beam, lime, cherry and silver birch. The forest is also home to the roe deer, wild boar, bear, wolf, fox, rabbit, sparrow hawk, and tree frog.

Bolu - Abant Lake

Location: The Abant Lake Natural Park takes place within the borders of Bolu Province Central District in Karadeniz (Blacksea) Region.

Transportation: It can be reached to the Abant Lake Natural Park by following the Ankara - Istanbul E - 5 State Highway, and than taking the 22 km road at the turn of Ömerler Madensuyu which is at the 203rd km of the E- 5 Highway. The park is 33 km far away from Bolu, 225 km far away from Ankara, and 225 km far away from Istanbul.

Highlights: The Abant Lake, which is a tectonic structure, shelters a variety of plants in itself and have a great open air recreation potentiality. As a result of these characteristics of the lake, 1150 hectares of it had been taken under the status of Natural Park in the year 1988.

The main plant species in the park are; Scotch Pine, beech tree, larch tree, oak tree, poplar tree, ash tree, horn - beam tree, willow tree, juniper tree, forest rose, tamarisk, hazelnut tree, medlar tree, priest hat, azarole, holly, dog - rose, bracken, blackberry, strawberry, mint, raspberry, ivy, nettle, mare's tail, and a variety of pasture grasses and trees. The main animal species in the park are; pig, deer, roe deer, bear, fox, jackal, rabbit, some birds of prey and singing birds. The endemic species Abantalası in the lake forms the fauna.

Facililities: The period between May and September is the best times for visiting the park. Some hotels are present in the park for billeting. The daily visitors can take walks around the lake or make picnics.