SAKARYA

AREA: 4.817 km²
POPULATION: 683.061 (1990)
TRAFFIC CODE: 54

DISTRICTS: Adapazarı (center), Akyazı, Ferizli, Geyve, Hendek, Karapürçek, Karasu, Kaynarca, Kocaali, Pamukova, Sapanca, Söğütlü, Taraklı.

The land extending towards the Black Sea coast, on the two sides of the same named river which flows into this sea, is Sakarya, in the center of which lies the fertile plain of Adapazari. This wide meadow in the middle of the region seems like an island, surrounded by the branches of the feeding rivers.

In this province filled with natural beauty is the charming site Lake Sapanca, 5 kms south of Adapazari. If you stop by the Arifiye Forest, in the province, which is a lovely resting spot, it is possible to see the really beautiful scenery of Lake Sapanca. Besides its panoramic view, this place offers opportunities for watersports and possesses fine accommodation facilities.

To the north, lies Karasu, another attractive holiday resort, 67 kms from Adapazari. Golden sandy beaches lie here along the coast of Black Sea, and it is a fine vacation area with numerous touristic establishments. Akyazi (29 kms) is an outstanding thermal cure center for many diseases, besides the Tarakli (Geyve) thermal springs.

The historical background of Sakarya extends back to 378 BC. Many Roman and Byzantine sites can be seen in the area. One of the most important remains here, is the historical Justinian Bridge (Bes Kopru) built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in AD 533. It is a 429 m long, eight arched bridge, and is an interesting sight for history lovers.

SITES OF INTEREST: Sapanca Lake shores, Karasu and Kocaali beaches, Hasan Mountain and Poyrazlar Lake forest recreation areas Orhan Gazi, Yunus Pasha (Geyand Grand Mosques), Şeyh Müslihiddin and Rüstem Pasha mosques, Orhan Gazi Dervish Lodge, Elvan Bey Alm House, Sakarya Bridge and Beşköprü (Justinian) Bridge.

Provincial Cultural Directorate

Tel: (264) 277 36 66
Fax: (264) 277 36 67

State Fine Arts Gallery Directorate

Atatürk Parkı Heykel Altı
SAKARYA
Tel: (0 264) 274 60 26
Fax: 277 36 67

Museum

Sakarya Museum
Address: Semerciler Mah. Sait Faik Sok. No: 36 -
Sakarya
Tel: (264) 274 25 15

Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Sakarya

Sites
Archaeological Sites: 11
Urban Sites: 2
Natural Sites: 10
Historical Sites: -
Other Sites
Archaeological and Natural Sites: 1
Total: 24
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural Heritages: 337
TOTAL: 361

Significant Days

Local days of celebration

Commemoration Day for Sait Faik Abasıyanık (day of his death )
Adapazarı
11 May

Commemoration day for Ali Fuat Cebesoy (day of his death )
Geyand-Ali Fuat Pasha Hamlet
10 Ocak

Founding Celebrations of Pamukova District
Pamukova District
10-12 September

Hacet Holiday
Hendek Masters (Şeyhler ) day
A Sunday with suitable weather between 5-15 August

Festivals:

Akbalık Traditional Wrestling
Karapürçek District
Saturday and Sunday one week before the traditional Kırkpınar Wrestling Competitions

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Milk Festival
Traditional Wrestling
Söğütlü District
Any Saturday and Sunday in July

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Festival
Gold Belt Traditional Wrestling Competitions
Akyazı-Osmanbey Village
Saturday and Sunday on second week of September

Culture and Art Festival
Sapanca
First Saturday and Sunday following 22 June

Traditional Summer and Youth Festival
Sapanca Kırkpınar Hamlet
First Sunday of August

Festivities:

Freedom from Occupation Celebrations of Adapazarı
Adapazarı
21-23 June

Sapanca Freedom from Occupation Days
Sapanca
22 June

Freedom from Occupation Celebrations of Kaynarca
Kaynarca
3 May

Kadırga Festivities
Akyazı-Acelle Yaylası
Last Fri.,Sat., Sun. of July

Büyükkarapınar Festivities
Akyazı-Dokurcun Beldesi Yörükyeri Village
Last Saturday and Sunday of June

Plateau (Yayla) Festivities
Hendek-Dikmen Village
A suitabe Sunday in June

Fairs:

Geyand Fair
14-16 September

Pamukova Fair
Pamukova
10-12 September

Taraklı Fair
Taraklı
28 September-1 October