Historic Town of Mudurnu Mudurnu is a small town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, approximately 52 kilometers south-west of Bolu. According to Strabon, Modrene (now known as Mudurnu) was strategically positioned on Anatolia’s main trade routes. The Silk Road, which connected inner Asia to Tabriz during the 13th and 14th centuries, passed through Bursa and continued along the route of Erzurum-Sivas-Mudurnu-Göynük-Taraklı-Geyve leading to Constantinople. During the Byzantine era, the Crimean Road linked Damascus and the Mediterranean ports with Bursa, then extended to Constantinople and the Black Sea through the path of Mudurnu-Bolu-Kastamonu-Cide. Positioned at the crossroads of these routes, Mudurnu functioned as a crucial military outpost and a moderately sized commercial hub during the Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. Mudurnu played a significant role in three key "foundation periods" that were essential in shaping the Turkish states in Anatolia. The beginning of Turkic settlement in Anatolia is known as the "First Period of Establishment." Under Osman I, who succeeded the Seljuks, Ottoman forces initiated invasions in Mudurnu. In 1307, during the reign of Osman’s son, Orhan, Mudurnu was incorporated into Ottoman lands, becoming part of the Ottoman core territory. The Ottoman Interregnum (1402-1413) marked the second foundation period, when Mudurnu became a sanctuary for Ottoman princes escaping the forces of Timur. Çelebi Mehmed established his base in the mountains between Mudurnu and Seben, directing the onset of the second Ottoman reign. The Turkish War of Independence, spanning from 1919 to 1922, led to the establishment of the Turkish Republic. During the conflict between the Sultan and Atatürk’s new Ankara government, Mudurnu was the site where some of the fiercest uprisings against the National Resistance were suppressed. Since that time, Mudurnu has stood out as a strong supporter of republican values in Turkey. The Yildirim Bayezid Mosque in Mudurnu, built in 1382 by the crown prince at the time, Bayezid I, is among the Sultan-built mosques. This mosque is an early example of the single-domed mosque architectural design within the Ottoman era. Its large dome and broad diameter make it a significant milestone in the transition from smaller domes to larger ones during the development of Ottoman architecture. The Ahi order, which held a vital position in the economic system of the Anatolian Seljuks and has since become a hallmark of Turkish ethical values, is unique to Turkey. Mudurnu is the only district-level town where the Merchants' Prayer, an essential Ahi tradition, has been continuously performed for over 700 years. Additionally, the town officially celebrates "Ahi Culture Week" every year. Mudurnu played a crucial role in the formation of Turkish states in Anatolia, especially as an educational center for Ottoman crown princes. The influential Çandarlı Vizier dynasty, which contributed to the foundation of early Ottoman state institutions, was also connected to this region. The Historic Town of Mudurnu was added to the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2015.