Mudurnu, the town caught in our lens

Now hold your lover's hand and close your eyes. Dive into dreams and imagine that you are walking through lush green trees. Let it be such a place that has both beautiful nature and wonderful walking paths by the lake. Both historical monuments and the hospitality of sincere Anatolian people. Taste delicious local food in the beautiful restaurants and take a coffee break in the shade of a plane tree when you get tired while walking around the bazaar.
Don't say there are not many such places left. Of course there is: Mudurnu. This time Mudurnu caught our lens.

Mudurnu, located about an hour away from Bolu city center, is a historical Anatolian town that seems to have emerged from the pages of history. With its captivating architecture, it boasts numerous historical wooden houses. Due to its historical and natural significance, the area has been declared a Urban Conservation Area. The view of the town center and the rows of houses lining its narrow streets transport you back in time. However, as you venture a bit further from the center, you'll notice lush greenery, with century-old trees waving at you. While wanting to breathe in the fresh air and take a stroll, you discover the small lakes scattered around, each resembling a picturesque scene. Then, as you explore, you feel like taking a break, and your taste buds are treated to the delightful flavors offered at a restaurant serving the region's exquisite cuisine. The next day, you wake up to the fresh air in one of Mudurnu's boutique hotels, exuding the scent of history with its wooden architecture. "Let's go to the thermal springs today and replenish our health," you say.

Named after Moderna, the daughter of the Bursa Governor, Mudurnu has seen an increase in tourism potential in recent years, accompanied by several Mudurnu Bolu hotels. Many of these hotels are converted from old historical mansions that have been restored. There are also newly constructed hotels among Mudurnu Bolu hotels, some of which are nestled amidst the lush mountainside forests. Mudurnu is a Bolu district located about 50 km away from the city center. Renowned for its lush green mountains and historical mansions, it is a district worth visiting. With its green forests, cool plateaus, Abant, Sülüklü, and Karamurat Lakes, hot springs, historical baths, and streets, Bolu Mudurnu is a district worth exploring.

Situated close to major cities like Istanbul and Ankara, Mudurnu is an ideal destination for weekend getaways. If you plan to spend a weekend in Bolu Mudurnu, there are plenty of activities awaiting you. You can take a walk by the lake, visit Mudurnu's historical sites and capture them in photographs, stroll through the streets of Mudurnu, shop at the local market, immerse yourself in the aroma of the historical Mudurnu hotel where you're staying, and see the Mudurnu Clock Tower in the district. When you stay at a historical Mudurnu hotel in Bolu, you can get guidance from your hotel for these activities. The prices of Mudurnu Bolu hotels, which are open year-round, are also quite reasonable. If you're planning weekend visits, you can browse our website to find the Mudurnu Bolu hotel that best suits your preferences.

Where to Stay in Mudurnu - https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/bolu-mudurnu-hotels

Mudurnu: Located approximately 50 kilometers away from Bolu center, Mudurnu is a district declared a urban conservation area, renowned for its 180 historical structures and old houses. Besides its historical and architectural significance, Mudurnu stands out as a tranquil district close to major cities, yet away from the hustle and bustle, making it an ideal destination for weekend getaways. Even during a short holiday, you'll find plenty of opportunities to relax and find peace.

Mudurnu's history dates back to around 5000 BC. Throughout its history, it has been home to many different and deep-rooted civilizations. It is known that there was a city called Modra in the same lands in the past. It can be said that its name changed over time and took its current form. From the Hittites to the Persians, from the Romans to the Seljuks, the city has been under the rule of many different states, and finally, it was located in Ottoman lands and reached its present state with the establishment of the republic.

Bolu Mudurnu has brought traces from almost every civilization from past to present. It is possible to find traces of the past in many structures - mosques, inns, baths, ruins - while wandering through the district center.

During the War of Independence, Bolu played a significant role in assisting Ankara, thanks to its favorable location. Logistics materials for the war were transported through Bolu. The city received great appreciation from Atatürk even in those years. Bolu Mudurnu is a district located in the west of the Black Sea. Although it does not exhibit typical Black Sea climate characteristics, it transitions to the Black Sea climate after the Marmara Region's climate. The most important economic activities of the district are agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Mudurnu is famous for its old Mudurnu houses among all its natural and historical beauties. The region is home to about 210 protected ancient houses. For this reason, Mudurnu has been declared an urban conservation area. The houses in the district show similar architectural features to the Göynük Houses. Today, most of the historical Mudurnu houses are privately owned properties. Among the most beautiful historical houses are Armutçular Mansion, Keyvanlar Mansion, Kazanlar Mansion, Yarışkaşı Mansion, and Hacı Abdullahlar Mansion.

In addition to the old Mudurnu houses, the district also hosts many historical inns, baths, and mosques. One of the most important structures in the town is the Yıldırım Mosque, built during the reign of Yıldırım Beyazıt in 1382. The mosque is among the first large-domed structures of the Ottoman Empire. Located in the center, the mosque is among the remarkable structures to see.
Places to Visit in Mudurnu 

Mudurnu is a district known for its historical and natural beauties. Places that must be seen and visited include the Yıldırım Beyazıt Mosque and Bath built in 1382, Kanuni Mosque, Şeyhül Ümran, Şeyh Tevfik Efendi, Şeyh Fahreddin Rumi, Abdurrahim Tırsi, Karaarslan Baba, Davud-i Halveti Tombs. You can explore the market and inns in the center of Mudurnu. You can walk through the streets of Mudurnu and see the Old Mudurnu houses, take pictures. You can visit Pears Mansion, one of the largest and oldest mansions. Natural beauties that you must see include Karamurat, Sülük, Abant Lake and its surrounding plateaus. You will be refreshed by walking in the lush plateaus and breathing in the clean air. You can visit Babas and Sarot Hot Springs for spa tourism. You can go to Şehriman Hill, which has become the symbol of Mudurnu. Watching the sunrise or sunset from here will be a unique pleasure. You can visit Mudurnu Castle and Mudurnu Clock Tower. You can plan a day trip to Abant Lake. The lake and its surroundings are beautiful in every season. You can also have a nice picnic. You can visit Karamurat or Sülük Lake. Karamurat Lake, Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque, Şehriman Hill, Akkayalar Travertines, Armutçular Mansion and Sarot Hot Springs are among the other places you should visit while you are here.

What to Do in Mudurnu When you come to Mudurnu, your first job in the morning should be to take a nice nature walk in the plateaus. Then you can start the day with a wonderful Mudurnu breakfast. During the day, you can visit the historical mosques, inns, and baths of Mudurnu. In the evening, you can be happy with a nice table of Mudurnu regional dishes. You can go to Karamurat and Sülük Lake. You can go to Şehriman Hill and witness the sunset. If you can schedule it, every year on the first Sunday of July, thousands celebrate the Day of Şeyh-ül Ümran. You can attend this event. Every year, the Ahi Culture Week is held in the second week of October in Mudurnu. If you are in Mudurnu during these dates, you can participate.

Where to Eat in Mudurnu 

In Bolu, where world-famous chefs are raised, Mudurnu cuisine has also received its share from Mengen chefs. Mudurnu local dishes are also very delicious. Some of the local flavors of Mudurnu are cranberry tarhana soup, oğmaç soup, miyana soup, chickpea and gum soup, palize, bread pasta, spoon sap with nuts, spoon sap with walnuts, mortar scoop, meat dumplings, kaygana, cizlama, broken pastry, pumpkin pancakes, printed halva, pounded halva, caterpillar, foam halva, korova, fruit leather, and broken plum pickle. In addition to local flavors, you can also find fast food products, grilled and kebab-type foods, and snack products such as toast in Mudurnu. You can also eat fish around Abant Lake. You can try different flavors by going to Mengen. But be sure to try the local flavors.

My Home Mudurnu Local Food House:  Located right next to the Mudurnu Municipality Building, Evimin Mudurnu Regional Restaurant is a restaurant where you can find both traditional Bolu dishes and Mudurnu-specific desserts.

Tekkeliler Mansion: Tekkeliler Mansion is the most famous hotel and restaurant in Mudurnu. Although I did not have the opportunity to try it as a hotel, as someone who has tried the restaurant part extensively, I can say this: People who think of making a trip to Mudurnu should go there hungry. Tekkeliler Mansion, owned by Melek Hotels, gives a 1.0 lesson in Bolu cuisine. Some of the dishes I ate at Tekkeliler Mansion include spoon sap, pot with bombay beans, pot made with Mudurnu chicken, walnut bread, Mudurnu palace halva, pickles, and cranberry soup, which I tasted for the first time. Please don't scream 'wow' because you're right anyway.

What to Buy from Mudurnu?

When you come to Mudurnu, first of all, you can buy textiles, clothes, souvenirs, decorations, or jewelry from Mudurnu Bazaar. You can buy souvenir figures specific to the region. You can buy Mudurnu palace halva for both yourself and your loved ones. In the shops and stalls in the district, you can buy knitted products, embroidered lace fabrics, and winter products, which are handmade by local women.

How to Get to Mudurnu

 Mudurnu is located about 45 minutes away from Bolu center. If you want to reach by bus, you must first reach Bolu, then you can go to Mudurnu with city transportation options. If you want to go by your own car, the easiest way to reach Mudurnu from Istanbul is via the TEM highway. The town center is located where three separate highways converge. When you reach Adapazarı, you turn from Akyazı Junction and head towards Ankara. Those coming from Ankara can reach Mudurnu in two ways. If you come through Bolu, the road is a bit longer, but you will be on the highway. The other option is via Beypazarı.

Here are some road information:

• o Distance from Istanbul to Mudurnu is approximately 250 kilometers and takes 4 hours.
• o Distance from Ankara to Mudurnu is approximately 245 kilometers and takes 2 hours and 50 minutes.
• o Distance from Bursa to Mudurnu is approximately 265 kilometers and takes 3 hours and 55 minutes.
• o Distance from Kocaeli to Mudurnu is approximately 160 kilometers and takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• o Distance from Eskişehir to Mudurnu is approximately 150 kilometers and takes 3 hours.

o In short, Mudurnu is both a very close destination to you and has everything you expect from a vacation. Go, relax, and rejuvenate in this peaceful town, even if it's just for a 2-3 day getaway. It's essential to take your camera so you can capture beautiful moments in history. Have a great holiday.