Birgi Historical Town Birgi is a charming historic town situated in the Ödemiş district of İzmir province, Turkey. The town was originally known as Pyrgion, a name that gradually transformed into the modern-day Birgi over the centuries. The town boasts a rich and ancient heritage, tracing its roots back to the Phrygian Civilization between 750 and 680 BC, followed by the Lydians from 680 to 546 BC, and subsequently the Persian Empire and the Kingdom of Pergamon from 183 BC to 133 AD. Later, Birgi came under the rule of the Roman and then the Byzantine Empires. In the 13th century, the town gained prominence as the capital of the Aydınoğlu Principality, maintaining this status through the 13th and 14th centuries. It was eventually incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1426. Birgi is well-known for its historic homes, representing a blend of architectural styles from different eras. The town is home to several remarkable buildings, including the Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque (also referred to as The Great Mosque) and the Cakiraga Mansion, both of which are significant architectural landmarks. The Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque, or The Great Mosque, is an exemplary piece of Seljuk architecture, completed in 1312. One of its standout features is a finely crafted mimbar made entirely of wood, with no metal nails used in its construction. Another notable aspect is the mihrab, which is made of dark cyan marble. The mosque also houses a unique lion statue in its southeastern corner, an unusual feature in Islamic architecture. This statue was repurposed from an ancient Lydian structure and incorporated as spolia. The Cakiraga Mansion, built in 1761 under the commission of the affluent merchant Çakıroğlu Mehmet Bey, is a grand three-story structure perched on elevated ground. The ground floor is dedicated to functional spaces such as stables, a kitchen, and a guest room. The upper floors accommodate the family’s living spaces, with the first floor featuring a central fireplace to provide warmth throughout the home. If you have any questions or need more information about Birgi Historical Town, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], or simply message us via WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.