Egirdir

Turkey’s Hidden Gem: The Anatolian Lake District and Egirdir
Turkey is famous for its stunning coastline, but it also boasts breathtaking lakes. North of Antalya lies the Anatolian Lake District, home to three major lakes: Lake Burdur, Lake Egirdir, and Lake Beysehir, along with numerous smaller ones. The main town in the region is Isparta, renowned for its rose oil production, but it is Egirdir that stands out as the most captivating destination.

Egirdir: A Lakeside Beauty
Nestled at the southern tip of Lake Egirdir, with Mount Davraz towering in the background, Egirdir is a town of striking natural beauty. Covering 482 km², Lake Egirdir is Turkey’s fourth-largest lake. The town was once called Egridir, meaning “it’s crooked,” but to remove the negative connotation, the name was changed to Egirdir, meaning “she is spinning.”

Just offshore, two small islands—Canada and Yesilada—are linked to the town by a causeway. These islands offer a perfect base for exploring the area’s natural and historical sites. Egirdir’s central location also makes it an ideal stopover for travelers heading to Cappadocia, Istanbul, or Fethiye.

Egirdir is also the finishing point of St. Paul’s Way, Turkey’s second-longest hiking trail. The more well-known Lycian Way runs along the Mediterranean coast to the south.

A Brief History of Egirdir
Egirdir was originally founded by the Hittites and served as a key stop along the King’s Way, a major trade route between Ephesus and Babylon. Its strategic location fueled its prosperity, attracting various civilizations over the centuries:

1200 BC – Captured by the Phrygians, followed by the Lydians
6th century BC – Conquered by the Persians
4th century BC – Taken by Alexander the Great
Byzantine Era – Known as Akrotiri (“Steep Mountain”)
14th century – Incorporated into the Ottoman Empire
Despite Ottoman control, the nearby island of Yeşilada remained predominantly Greek until the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Sights and Attractions
While Egirdir can be explored in just over an hour, its historical and natural sites make it worth a longer stay.

Hizir Bey Camii
Originally built as a Seljuk warehouse in 1237, this structure was converted into a mosque in 1308. Though simple in design, it features finely carved wooden doors and beautiful blue tiling on its minaret.

Dundar Bey Medresesi
Located opposite Hizir Bey Camii, this former seminary was originally a Seljuk caravanserai built in 1218. It was repurposed as a Medrese (Islamic school) in 1285 and now functions as a bazaar. Its most distinctive feature is the walkthrough minaret, which has an arch at its base, connecting it to the mosque.

Davraz Dagı (Mount Davraz)
At 2,635 meters (8,645 feet), Mount Davraz is a popular year-round destination. In summer, it offers excellent hiking opportunities, while in winter, its ski season typically runs from mid-December to March. The mountain features a five-star resort, and dolmuses (minibuses) run regularly between Egirdir and Mount Davraz.