Historic Town of Mudurnu Historic Town of Mudurnu Mudurnu is a small district and town located in Turkey's Black Sea region, positioned about 52 kilometers southwest of Bolu. Historically, Mudurnu occupied a key strategic spot along Anatolia's major trade routes, as noted by Strabon. The Silk Road, which connected inner Asia to Tabriz during the 13th and 14th centuries, passed through Bursa and extended along the path of Erzurum-Sivas-Mudurnu-Göynük-Taraklı-Geyve leading to Constantinople. Likewise, in the Byzantine era, the Crimean Road linked Damascus and Mediterranean ports to Bursa, then continued to Constantinople and the Black Sea via the route of Mudurnu-Bolu-Kastamonu-Cide. Because of its location at the crossroads of these important routes, Mudurnu served as a vital military outpost and commercial hub during the Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman times. Mudurnu held a significant position during three pivotal "periods of establishment" that shaped the rise of Turkish states in Anatolia. The "First Period of Establishment" marked the beginning of Turkification in the region. Under the leadership of Osman I, who succeeded the Seljuks, Mudurnu experienced Ottoman military campaigns. By 1307, during the reign of Osman's son, Orhan, Mudurnu was incorporated into Ottoman lands, becoming part of the core Ottoman territory. During the Ottoman Interregnum, Mudurnu acted as a sanctuary for royal heirs escaping the forces of Timur. It was here that Çelebi Mehmed set up his headquarters, initiating the second Ottoman dynasty. Historic Town of Mudurnu During the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1922), Mudurnu witnessed some of the fiercest uprisings against the National Resistance amid the conflict between the Sultan’s forces and Atatürk’s newly established Ankara government. Since that time, Mudurnu has been widely recognized for its strong support of republican values and has emerged as one of Turkey’s foremost champions of these ideals. A prominent architectural landmark in Mudurnu is the Yildirim Bayezid Mosque, commissioned by the crown prince Bayezid I in 1382. This mosque stands as an important example of the Ottoman Empire’s architectural evolution, featuring a straightforward design based on the single-domed mosque concept. It is also notable for its large dome diameter, representing a key stage in the transition from smaller to more expansive domes during the Ottoman period. Mudurnu holds a distinctive and rich cultural and historical heritage. It served as an essential center for the education of Ottoman crown princes and contributed significantly to the rise of Turkish states across Anatolia. The town is celebrated for its cultural legacy, being the only district-level urban area in Turkey where the Merchants' Prayer, a traditional Ahi custom, has been observed continuously for over 700 years. Additionally, Mudurnu hosts the officially recognized "Ahi Culture Week", an important cultural event. The Ahi order, recognized as a cornerstone of Turkish moral values, played a vital role in the economic structure of the Anatolian Seljuks. Mudurnu holds a unique status as the only district-level urban center where the Merchants' Prayer has been observed uninterruptedly for over 700 years. In addition, Mudurnu served as a prominent educational hub for Ottoman crown princes and made a crucial contribution to the establishment of the Ottoman state through the influence of the Çandarlı Vizier dynasty, which was instrumental in shaping the early Ottoman administrative institutions. The extensive cultural and historical significance of Mudurnu has been internationally acknowledged, with the Historic Town of Mudurnu being included on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2015. If you have any questions or need more information about the Historic Town of Mudurnu, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.