Description of the attraction
The city of Mugla is the capital of the administrative district, which includes several of the most important tourist centers in Turkey. However, vacationers and travelers rarely come here. The reason, most likely, lies in the fact that most tourists most often equate vacation with the sea. But despite this, you should still allocate at least a day to visit Mugla. Guests of the city who have come here for a couple of days and stayed in one of the local hotels, which are located in the center, can take walks around the city and the surrounding area, get a lot of impressions.
Mugla is located in an amazingly beautiful valley surrounded by the Homuruz, Karadag and Masa mountains. It stretches right up to the slopes of Mount Asar (Hisar). Mugla is the center of a province famous for its forests and figs. The city has been a Muslim city since the beginning of the 9th century - first, the famous Baghdad caliph Harun al Rashid tried, who sent his troops here, and then the Seljuks. Of course, there are old Turkish mansions in stock.
The population of this picturesque city with a beautiful bazaar and narrow alleys is approximately 36,000. White houses located in the old quarters are distinguished by their large overhanging roofs. They are considered the most beautiful in Turkey.
A large number of outstanding examples of civil architecture are located in the city center. For their inspection, it is better to go to the Arasta region. Araste has a large number of shoemakers' shops, furriers, taverns and fountains in the squares. This area seems to be frozen at the turn of the twentieth century. Here you can find malls and shops selling all kinds of souvenirs. If you get hungry, you can visit the lokanta (local inn). On the menu you can find such dishes familiar to the area as keshkek or dyosh-dolmas - stuffed brisket in a sour sauce. Be sure to take the opportunity and try them. Also, don't forget about the dessert.
The monument to Ataturk is traditionally located in the central square. There are still functioning baths of the 13th century and the main mosque of the 14th century.
The Ulu Jamiya Mosque is the oldest structure in the entire city. In 1344, Ulu Jamii was founded by Ibrahim Bey Menteseoglu. Throughout its history, the mosque has been rebuilt many times.
Like many mosques of the time, it has a large square inner hall with dozens of columns supporting bare vaults. The only hint of luxury are the stalactites of the central opening for light that adorn it. At the mihrab (a prayer niche in the wall of the mosque), measured rows of columns (seven rows of six columns) diverge around a strange wooden dome with two windows.
Ulu Jamiya is the most famous and one of the oldest mosques in Turkey. It has an original design using both Byzantine and more ancient architectural styles in the construction. The mosque is attractive for its graceful structure and delicate stone carvings surrounding the arched doors.
In the building of the old prison, behind the building where the court is located, there is now a museum. Most of the exhibitions located in the pavilion consist of finds obtained in the ancient city of Stratonikia during archaeological excavations. Here you can see the fossilized remains of prehistoric plants and animals. For the first time, such remains were found in the town of Teruel in Spain, therefore all subsequent ones are called Turolian. In the village of Ozludzhe, the so-called Turolian Park is organized. You shouldn't ignore the ethnographic department, which will introduce you to traditional household items and folk costumes inherent in the locals.
Houses in Mugla became very famous, they even began to create models for sale to interested tourists. This tradition was founded by the architect Erturul Aladag about four years ago. The first model of a Mugl house in his performance is currently on display in the museum in the city of Ford Lauderdal in the United States. The architect organized workshops, continuing his endeavor, and now every tourist can buy a cute little model of a Mugl house.
If you manage to get to Mugla on Thursday, then don't miss the opportunity and wander around the street bazaar. Here, along with a lot of cheap fruits and vegetables, they sell traditional folk products: amazing openwork lace made with needles and crochets, homespun fabrics and things sewn from them, souvenirs and carpets.
