Around 3,500 historic houses, with an approximately 200-year-old Ottoman character, define Beypazarı. Museums, a silvercraft market and a cuisine featuring regional specialties complete the picture. In the historic bazaar, visitors can take in the architecture and craftsmanship; Hıdırlık Tepesi offers views of the cityscape. Nearby destinations also provide a different perspective on the area.

Historic Bazaar and Craftsmanship

Alaaddin Sokak brings together several facets of the townscape: there are stalls selling regional products and restored historic mansions open to visitors. The historic Sultan Alâaddin Mosque stands in the bazaar and is also known as Cami-i Bebir or Paşa Camisi. The different names refer to the same building.

Suluhan Kervansarayı is also located in the historic bazaar, in the Suluhan area of the Zafer district. It is a typical Ottoman urban courtyard. Exhibitions are held there, and there are also souvenir stalls and a café. The commercial offerings may change. In this way, the bazaar brings together historic architecture and uses associated with exhibitions and sales.

At the silvercraft market, artisans make filigree work, also known as telkari, and sell the finished pieces. Individual offerings may vary. Alongside the historic buildings, visitors interested in traditional crafts can get a glimpse of a local skill here.

Dishes and Regional Products

Beypazarı Kurusu is a clearly defined local product: it is made in stone ovens and produced exclusively in Beypazarı. Traditional dishes include tarhana soup, güveç, stuffed vine leaves, baklava and höşmelim. These dishes are served to visitors in historic mansions.

Carrot products are also part of the culinary selection, including carrot lokum and carrot juice. The Carrot and Güveç Festival is traditionally held every year. Regional food competitions award prizes to dishes. Those interested in local cuisine can thus distinguish between different aspects of what is on offer: a pastry produced exclusively in Beypazarı, traditional dishes and carrot products.

Museums: Town History, Bathing Culture and Everyday Objects

The Kent Tarihi Müzesi traces Beypazarı’s history from antiquity to the present day. Models, remains, objects from different periods and documents explore different eras. The Turkish Baths Museum, by contrast, focuses on bathing culture. Its exhibition covers the henna or bridal bath and features the figures of the Hamam Mother, Hamam Father and Külhanbeyi.

The Turkish Baths Museum is housed in the Rüstem Paşa Hamam. The bathhouse was built by Rüstem Paşa, son-in-law and vizier to Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. The building itself is therefore part of the museum visit, while the exhibition focuses on customs and figures associated with bathing culture.

The Beypazarı Belediyesi Tarih ve Kulturmuseum is housed in a three-storey building constructed in 1850, with classic Ottoman architectural features. The Süreyya-Özkan Gas Lamp Museum has a very different collection focus: its 600-square-metre indoor space displays more than 1,600 types of lamps. At the Yaşayan Müze, costumed guides convey the culture being presented instead of relying on conventional labels and information panels. Visitors can not only learn about it there, but also practise and keep it alive.

Views and Nearby Destinations

Hıdırlık Tepesi offers panoramic views of Beypazarı and its cityscape, defined by historic mansions. The hill is about a 15-minute walk from the centre. It is a natural complement to visits to the bazaar and museums if you would also like to take in the city as a whole.

Karagöl Nature Park is nearby, 28 kilometres from Beypazarı city centre. The landscape, shaped by the lake, slopes, pines and mountain poplars, offers opportunities for outdoor sports. İnözü Valley lies north of Beypazarı, with numerous caves carved into the hard-to-reach rocks on the slopes. The caves were probably used as dwellings in antiquity. Some visible depressions are thought to be tombs or rock-cut churches from the early Byzantine period. These interpretations remain conjectural; as well as its rocky landscape, the valley offers a glimpse into possible past uses.

Discover more destinations: Haymana, Pursaklar, Karahisar, Gölbaşı, Kızılcahamam, Yıldırımbeyazıt Mahallesi, Ankara, Örencik.

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