Birgi: One of the “best villages in the world”

Birgi, a lovely and scenic village, is located in one of the most fertile valleys in the Aegean region. Birgi, located in the Ödemiş district of Izmir, has a rich history of civilizations dating back to antiquity. The village’s classical Seljuk and Ottoman dwellings remain standing, and in addition to restored traditional homes and cobblestone lanes, the Birgi Grand Mosque towers over the traditional urban plan. Birgi also has remarkable specimens of Seljuk artistic traditions, including the Great Mosque’s ornaments, woodwork, and tiles.

A Historic Capital

Birgi, with a rich culture and outstanding beauty, has a five thousand year history and served as the capital of the Aydınoğlu Principality during the Anatolian Principalities Period. Birgi, with over 200 identified cultural assets, was added to the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2012. It also participates in international associations such as the Cittaslow Slow Cities network.

Birgi, one of Western Anatolia’s most prominent protected cities, is similar to an open-air museum, with characteristics carried over from the Principalities period to the present day in the form of unique architectural texture, houses and mansions with bay windows, mosques and madrasahs, tombs, baths and fountains, complexes, and many other works.

A Delightful Walk Through A Captivating Open-Air Museum

Birgi is located seven km from Ödemiş in İzmir. Birgi, a cultural and spiritual tourist center in Ödemiş and neighboring areas, was added to the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2012. The village, which draws attention for its rich history, lush landscape, and natural beauty, allows tourists to see rare instances of typical residential structure from the 18th century.

Birgi, with its colorful historical texture, monumental architecture, and traditional dwellings, was proclaimed a protected area in 1996, becoming the first hamlet to get protection. The town, located on the slopes of Bozdağ, the highest mountain network in the Western Aegean, attracts visitors with its architectural structures and works going back to the 12th century.

Two Significant Structures That Represent the Era’s Architecture

The Ulu Mosque, or Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque

The Ulu Mosque’s pulpit has a hipped roof with a wooden ceiling that is typical of building from the Seljuk period. It took a master craftsman seven years to build the pulpit. The straightforward way the mosque was built and the simple names on its narrow columns are lovely examples of the settled way of life during the Anatolian Principalities Period.

Çakırağa Mansion

The Çakırağa Mansion from the 18th century is a great example of the type of architecture and decoration that was popular in that area at the time. The Çakırağa Mansion is a great example of the best civil building of the time and should be seen.

As part of faith tourism, the Aydınoğulları Tomb and the Sultan Şah Tomb are important buildings. So are the Ataullah Efendi Madrasah (İmam-ı Birgivi Madrasah) and Kale Madrasah, the Ottoman Bath and the Sasalı Bath (Kırk Kızlar Hamam), the Sandıkeminioğlu Mansion, the Kerimağa Mansion, the Çarşı Fountain, the Karaoğlu Mosque, the Şeyh Muhiddin Bath (Çukur Bath), the Dervişağa Darü’l Hadisi (Çukur Madrasah), the Dervişağa Mosque, the Koca Fountain (Bıcakcı Esseyit Hacı Ali Ağa Fountain), and the Hafza H.

A Beautiful Showcase of Aegean Treats

In his travel writings, Evliya Çelebi talks about how great the climate and land are for farming. He says that 72 fruits and veggies that are only grown in this area are grown there, which shows how rich the land is in agriculture and how kind nature is.

You should try the famous breakfast, which is made with natural and organic ingredients. You should also try other famous local dishes, like buttered Keşkek, Çatal soup, stuffed bread, stuffed zucchini blossoms, and Kestirme soup, which is made with broth and the meat of chickens raised on range. The sautéed organic herbs and green salads with radish leaves, nettle, and hibiscus are also very tasty.

A Market Place on the Old Silk Road

A significant hub for silk production since antiquity, Birgi, situated along the famous Silk Road, is thought to have started producing silk around fifteen hundred years ago. According to Evliya Çelebi in the 17th century, Birgi silk was shipped in large quantities to every city.

Nowadays, industrial-style looms are used to weave silk, a material that is extensively used in traditional Turkish handicrafts. You may view the weaving and buy some of the region’s well-known woven silk goods by visiting Birgi’s traditional handicraft centers and silk looms.

How to Get From İzmir to Birgi BY BUS, TRAIN, TAXI OR CAR?

There are 4 ways to get from İzmir to Birgi by bus, train, taxi or car.

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