PLACES TO VISIT

YALOVA CULTURAL HERITAGE AND PLACES TO VISIT

Yalova

Yalova, situated on the northern shores of the Armutlu Peninsula and the northern foothills of the Samanlı Mountains, is located in the southeastern part of the Marmara Region in northwestern Türkiye. The Sea of Marmara lies to the north and west, Kocaeli to the east, and Bursa (the districts of Orhangazi, Gemlik, and İznik) and the Gulf of Gemlik to the south. Yalova is surrounded by the Sea of Marmara from north to southwest. The coastline is relatively uneven. Between latitudes 39-40° north and longitudes 29-61° east, Yalova's elevation is 2 meters above sea level, with a highest point of 926 meters. With an area of 839 square kilometers, it covers 0.11% of the country's total area. Yalova is Türkiye's smallest province by area and, at 105 km, one of the tourist provinces with the longest coastline. Yalova boasts fertile and productive plains. Between Çınarcık, Gökçedere, Kirazlı, Kılıçköy, and Taşköprü, and the sea, several large and small plains are separated by low hills. These plains extend along streams, and fruit and vegetable growing is practiced in their surroundings. Eighty-two percent of Yalova's total surface area (84,700 ha) consists of agricultural land (22,173 ha), forests (46,809 ha), and meadows and pastures (7,944 ha). The province's vegetation consists of maquis and forests. Maquis, found in the valleys to the north and south of the Samanlı Mountains, occurs in intermittent strips and patches along the foothills of this mass. The steep slopes south of Yalova are completely covered with a lush forest. Beech, oak, hornbeam, cranberry, chestnut, and linden trees are commonly found in the forested areas, meeting the region's wood and timber needs. With migration from the forests in Yalova, the provincial borders of Yalova are rich in both ecological and ethnic and cultural diversity. Incorporating both religious and linguistic diversity from across Anatolia, the province has grown. In addition to Turkish, there are settlements throughout the province of Pomak, Avaric, Circassian, Laz, Georgian, Dargi, Kurdish, Bosnian, and Tatar/Karachay-speaking ethnic groups.

Places to Visit in Yalova;

The Walking Mansion is located within the Millet Çiftliği (Nation Farm) on the Yalova coast. If you're going to Yalova by sea bus, it's a good starting point, within walking distance of the pier. Built in 1929 at Atatürk's behest, the mansion stands next to a plane tree. The mansion's name comes from this plane tree. In 1930, when a branch of the plane tree touched the mansion's roof and walls, officials asked Atatürk for permission to cut it down. Instead of cutting down the plane tree, Atatürk requested that the building be moved a little further forward using rails. This saved the mansion from demolition and the plane tree from being cut down. Since then, the mansion has been known as the "Walking Mansion." Renovated by the Yalova Municipality in 2006, the mansion now serves as a museum.

Yalova City Museum is located in the Yalova Government Building, a building that holds a significant place in the city's history, in the city center and near the coast. The museum consists of two separate sections. Opened to the public as a joint project of the municipality and the governor's office, the Yalova City Museum occupies a two-story building. The museum displays information, documents, and photographs from Yalova's history, spanning 8,000 years, as well as sections on tourism, social life, sports, and education. The museum's most interesting features are a model of Yalova's general city plan and a model of the Walking Mansion. Don't expect too much; it's an average museum. Entry is free. Karakilise (Black Church) is located on the coast of the Çiftlikköy district, 3 km east of Yalova's city center. It's nestled in the heart of residential areas, with apartment buildings a few meters away. An early Byzantine structure, it was used as a bathhouse in the 6th century AD and as a church in the 8th and 9th centuries AD, and is constructed of brick. The church, whose dome and arches still stand intact, is also known locally as the Historical Church or the Old Church. The church is not in very good condition, and considering that Yalova is an earthquake zone, if it is not restored, it could collapse in a small earthquake.

Karaca Arboretum (Karaca Tree Park) is the apple of Yalova's eye. In fact, you could even go to Yalova just to see the arboretum—if you're a lover of trees and greenery like me. It holds the distinction of being Turkey's first private arboretum. Purchased in 1948 by Hacı Halil Karaca for a poplar grove, the land was adorned with plants brought from around the world by his son, Hayrettin Karaca, in the 1970s. Today, the tree museum, which covers 13.5 hectares and boasts approximately 7,000 different plant species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars, features fascinating plant species from various continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The arboretum is located in Samanlı Village, 5 km from the city center. Minibuses departing from Yalova city center pass in front of it.

The Yalova Atatürk Mansion , in my opinion, is one of Yalova's most historically impressive structures. It is a significant witness to the city's early years. It was where Atatürk held his summer meetings, and where important decisions such as the establishment of the Liberal Party, the transition to a multi-party system, and Domestic Goods Week were made. The mansion's first foreign occupant was the Shah of Iran, Pahlavi, a prominent figure at the time. In the early years of the Republic, the government's summer meetings were also held here. Located in the Termal district of Yalova, the mansion is a two-story, entirely wooden structure. Built in 1929 by Hakkı Eldem in 38 days on Atatürk's orders, it has four reception halls and 11 rooms. Restored in 1984, the mansion houses Atatürk's personal belongings, works of art, chairs, and a dining set.

 Çınarcık is Yalova's largest district, just outside the city center. Located 20 km from Yalova, its history dates back to 4000 BC. Bearing traces of the Phrygians, Cimmerians, and Romans, the district was known as KIO (City of Clean Air) during the Byzantine period, meaning "city with clean air." Çınarcık, which gets quite crowded especially on weekend trips and during the summer months, is a must-see destination, including Termal, Esenköy, and Erikli Plateau. Sudüşen Waterfall is another beauty you can see in the Termal district of Yalova. One of the city's natural wonders, the waterfall is nestled among the Samanlı Mountains and surrounded by a forested area painted in every shade of green. Because the waterfall's current is strong, swimming here is not safe. However, its picnic areas and stunning natural beauty make it quite suitable for activities like camping, hiking, and cycling tours.