Bozdoğan

It was founded on two hills on the foothills of Madran Mountain rising next to the plain irrigated by Akçay in the south of the Büyük Menderes basin. The economy of the district, which is 76 km away from Aydın, is based on agriculture. According to some sources, it is stated that Bozdoğan was founded at the end of the 13th century, but the historical structure remains and finds in the region point to very ancient times. There are also works bearing the traces of later Roman, Byzantine and Selcuklu cultures. Neopolis located near Koyuncular village, Bargasa settlements near Kavaklı village and Körteke Castle, Cisterns and Kemer Bridge in Örtülü and Konaklı villages are the main examples of these. Bozdoğan has many natural beauties such as Kemer Dam Lake and Mardan Mountain. The spring water coming out of the foothills of Mardan Mountain is famous. The region, which is open to green tourism with its cool plateaus and abundant waters, is a must-see place with various cultural artifacts scattered all over. The economy is completely based on agriculture. All kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown, especially olives, figs, grapes, cotton and hemp. Kemer Dam Bridge on Akçay, which is the branch of Büyük Menderes River, Kemer Bridge, which was built as one-eyed over Akçay water within the boundaries of Bozdoğan-Akhisar village, Armutalan Bridge on Bozdoğan-Altıntaş road, Körteke Castle and Piginda ancient city are located in the district.

LET’S VISIT AND SEE

Körteke Castle is located within the boundaries of Körteke Village in the district of Bozdoğan. Located in the northeast of Körteke Village, the castle was built on a high hill.

There is a cistern in the middle of each tower on the east and west sides of Körteke Castle. It is thought that the city of XYATIS was located at the location of the castle in the past.  It is estimated that it was used in different ages on the grounds that there are traces of different periods on the castle walls. 

The distance from Bozdoğan district to Körteke Castle is approximately 40 kilometers. When you set off from Bozdoğan district center, you can reach Körteke Castle when you follow the Çamlıdere Village road. There is no entrance fee for Körteke Castle. For this reason, you can visit the castle whenever you want. 

Piginda Ancient City is also known as Bargasa. Although Piginda Ancient City is not well known by local and foreign tourists today, important artifacts have been removed to suitable museums as a result of excavations. 

Piginda Ancient City is located approximately 7 kilometers from Çamlıdere Village of Bozdoğan district of Aydın province.

The ancient city consists of three different acropolises. The ancient city has traces of a typical Carian architecture. The walls, which are thought to belong to the Hellenistic period, are about 1 meter thick. One of the important structures of the ancient city is the theater. The theater was formed by the merger of approximately three cisterns. There are no traces of it being used as a theater today.

When you follow Çamlıdere Village Road from Bozdoğan district center, you can reach Çamlıdere after seeing Haydare and Dümen villages.

Entrance to Piginda Ancient City is free. You can visit the ancient city at any time and see the historical buildings around it.

Meryem Tomb is located in Olukbaşı Mevkii of Bozdoğan district of Aydın. The tomb is often visited by local and foreign people for children’s wishes. In addition to the wishes of children, they wish a solution to the problems of young people who go to the military and people with problems. 

The name of the Meryem Tomb is based on the martyrdom of a woman named Meryem after being shot in the left chest. There are legends that the people lying in the tomb have their night dreams of people who damage the tomb and its surroundings.

The distance between Bozdoğan district center and Olukbaşı Mevkii is approximately 20 kilometers. To reach the tomb, you need to use the Dümen, Haydere and Çamlıdere road from Bozdoğan district center, respectively.

ÖRTÜLÜ VILLAGE CISTER

Örtülü Village Cistern is located in Örtülü District of Aydın’s Bozdoğan district. The cistern, built using crushed stone and lime materials, has a circular plan and the entrance is on the north. Grinding stone and marble were used in the construction of the jambs in the door part of the cistern. The door marble was made with the carving of the lintel stones. 

Örtülü Village Cistern, according to the marble inscription and the information written on it, Hacı Veli Oglu had it built for Hacı Halil in 1293. Örtülü Village Cistern is also known as Kadınyurt Cistern.

There is approximately 15 kilometers distance between Bozdoğan district center and Örtülü Mevkii. You can reach Örtülü Mevkii by minibuses departing from Bozdoğan district center.

BOZDOĞAN BAZAAR TURKISH BATH

Bozdoğan Bazaar Turkish Bath was built next to the mosque in the district center. The bath is used as a warehouse today. The bath has a long narrow corridor and two windows opening to the outside. Transitions inside the bath are provided with the Turkish triangle. The cold place of the bath is covered with a dome. There is a round door form and lighting holes in the cold room in the bath.

Arapapıştı Canyon, which is located within the borders of Aydın, Denizli and Muğla provinces, is connected to the district of Bozdoğan in Aydın. There is approximately 30 kilometers distance between Bozdoğan district center and Arapapıştı Canyon. Arapapıştı Canyon is also known as İnceğiz Canyon. The name Arapapıştı was given by the Persians.

You can join boat tours in Arapapıştı Canyon and watch the sunset at Arapapıştı Seyir Hill. Although Arabapıştı Canyon boat tours are held in all periods of the year, it is recommended to do it in April and May. Thanks to the boat tour, you can witness the beautiful blue of the water between the mountains and landscapes reminiscent of Norway.

There is approximately 30 minutes distance between Arapapıştı Canyon and the viewing hill. The roads of the viewing hill, which you can climb with your private vehicle, are quite narrow and difficult to access. After reaching the viewpoint, the holistic beauty of the landscape makes the whole road forget. You should be careful while taking photos or walking over the cliffs on the hill.

Arapapıştı Canyon is approximately one and a half hours away from Aydın and half an hour away from Bozdoğan district. In order to reach Arapapıştı Canyon, you should follow the signs after turning to the Yenipazar turn on the Denizli road.

Alhisar Waterfall is located in Alhisar Neighborhood in the southeast of Aydın’s Bozdoğan district. There is approximately 2 kilometers distance between Alhisar Waterfall and the neighborhood.

The waterfall, which has ice-cold water flowing through mountains, plains and trees, is expected to be discovered by local and foreign tourists. Although the locals in the district of Bozdoğan know the waterfall, people who live in the surrounding provinces are not aware of the existence of the waterfall.

Alhisar Waterfall is definitely a must see. You should spend some time with the flowers, insects, rocks and the peaceful sound of nature around the waterfall.

You can reach Alhisar Neighborhood by minibuses departing from Bozdoğan district center. In order to reach Alhisar Neighborhood with your own vehicle, you should follow the road from Bozdoğan district center to Dümen Mahallesi.

The Ecology of Alhisar Waterfall in Nested with Nature;

While the districts of Aydın generally stand out with their historical artifacts, Bozdoğan district stands out with its natural beauties. Arapapıştı Kanyou and Alhisar Waterfall are beauties that play an important role in the popularity of the district.

Alhisar Waterfall waits to be discovered by holidaymakers. The flowers, insects and rocks around this waterfall have added a different atmosphere to this area. Vacationers can take nature walks around the waterfall in order to both discover this waterfall and have a pleasant time.

HOW TO GET TO BOZDOGAN

Bozdoğan is approximately 70 kilometers from Aydın, approximately 140 kilometers from Denizli, approximately 200 kilometers from İzmir, approximately 90 kilometers from Muğla, approximately 700 kilometers from Istanbul and approximately 650 kilometers from Ankara.

In order to reach Aydın’s Bozdoğan district, you should use minibus lines from the surrounding provinces and districts. There are no bus services that you can reach Bozdoğan district directly. For this reason, you can first reach Aydın and then to Nazilli and Bozdoğan districts.

How to get to Bozdoğan by minibus or municipal bus?

It is one of the options you will use to reach Aydın’s Bozdoğan district. Domestic and foreign tourists coming from big cities by bus should get off at Nazilli Bus Station or Aydın Bus Station to reach Bozdoğan district. In order to reach Bozdoğan from Aydın, you must first reach Nazilli district by using minibus or municipal buses. After reaching Nazilli, you can also reach Bozdoğan district by minibuses or municipal buses.

How to Get to Bozdoğan by Private Vehicle?

You can reach Bozdoğan district in about 1.5 hours by using the Nazilli – Bozdoğan road from Aydın. When you follow the D-320 highway from Aydın, you can reach Nazilli and then the district by using the Nazilli – Bozdoğan road.

You can reach Bozdoğan district center in about 2 hours by using the D-585 highway from Denizli. You will see villages and neighborhoods such as Tavas, Karahisar and Çamarası, which you set out from Denizli city center.

You can reach Bozdoğan district center in about 1.5 hours by using the D-330 and D-550 highways from Muğla. When you depart from Muğla city center, you will see villages and neighborhoods such as Akçaova, Yatağan and Kavaklıdere respectively.

You can reach Bozdoğan district center from Istanbul in about 8 hours by using the E-5 highway, E-881, E-96 and E-87 highways. When you set off from Istanbul, you will see provinces and districts such as Yalova, Bursa, Balıkesir and Nazilli respectively.

You can reach Bozdoğan district center from Ankara in about 7.5 hours by using the E-90, E-96 and E-87 highways. When you set off from Ankara, you will see provinces and districts such as Polatlı, Emirdağ, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak and Nazilli respectively.

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN BOZDOGAN

Pide is very famous in Bozdoğan district. There are many pide restaurants in the district. Many people come from provinces and districts to eat pide in these restaurants. Especially: There are people from Izmir who come here just to eat pide. Pide with minced meat, cheese, tahini, Turkish bacon are the main ones.

Especially: pide with cheese and tahini, served with buffalo cream, is magnificent and must be tasted.

If you don’t mind pide: There is one more option in Bozdoğan, it is Capricorn Kebab. As is known, in many parts of our country: goat meat is inedible. However, since the goat kebab is made of goat that has not yet reached the age of one, it is magnificent in terms of stomach, health and taste.

Famous in Bozdoğan: Frozen Halvah

On Turkey’s Aegean Region, especially in the summer season frequently consumed frozen halvah, it should definitely be tasted in the Bozdogan district. After discovering the natural and historical beauties in Bozdogan district, you can get rid of all your tiredness by tasting the frozen halvah.

Bozdoğan Sausage: Bozdoğan sausage, geographically marked by the Nazilli Chamber of Commerce, should definitely be among the tastes you should try