Lake Egirdir & Town Lake Eğirdir is located in the Isparta Province of Turkey, about 180 kilometers north of Antalya. It ranks as the country's second-largest freshwater lake and the fourth-largest overall, spanning an area of 482 square kilometers with a drainage basin covering 3,309 square kilometers. The lake's average depth is 14 meters, and it lies at an elevation of 917 meters above sea level. The town of Eğirdir boasts a rich historical background, originally founded by the Hittites and later governed by the Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, and the armies of Alexander the Great. In the Roman period, it was known as Prostanna, and during the Byzantine era, it carried the name Akrotiri, meaning "peninsula." At that time, it was an important religious center. The Seljuk Turks took control of the town around 1080, and subsequently, it became a small principality ruled by the Hamidoğulları dynasty until 1381. In 1417, the Ottoman Empire annexed Eğirdir. Until 1924, the town's population was predominantly Orthodox Greeks, but following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, Muslims from Greece replaced them, resulting in a majority Muslim community. Green Island, located just 1.5 km from Eğirdir, covers an area of 9 hectares. The island’s wooden houses built on rocky foundations, its narrow lanes, and small fishermen's huts create a quaint and authentic atmosphere. Visitors are attracted by its charming boardinghouses and popular fish restaurants. The island is also home to the historic Ayastefanos Church, which tourists can explore. Can Island is a small islet, measuring only 7,000 square meters, situated between Eğirdir and Green Island. It was presented as a gift to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1933. The Hizirbey Mosque is the largest mosque in Eğirdir, originally constructed by Hızır Bey between 1327 and 1328. It suffered a fire in 1814 but was rebuilt and reopened for worship in 1820 under the supervision of Yılanlıoğlu Sheikh Ali Aga. The mosque stands out with its impressive size and its distinctive minaret, which is uniquely positioned above the front entrance arches, making it a landmark in the region. Situated opposite the Hizirbey Mosque, the Dündar Bey Madrasa was initially built as a caravanserai by the Seljuk Sultan in 1237 and later converted into a madrasa in 1301 by Hamidoğlu Dündar Bey. This two-story structure surrounds a central courtyard and features a large stone entrance on its exterior walls. The madrasa showcases Seljuk-era geometric motifs and no longer functions as a religious school; instead, it serves as a marketplace. A notable architectural feature is the walk-through minaret connecting the madrasa to the mosque. If you have any questions or need more information about Lake Eğirdir & Town, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp, and we will reply as soon as possible.