Travel Point Overview

Nestled in the heart of the Aegean Region, Birgi is one of Türkiye’s best-preserved historical towns — a living open-air museum where the past and present exist side by side. Located in the district of Ödemiş, this charming village has hosted countless ci

🏞️ Birgi / Ödemiş – İzmir

A Hidden Gem of Anatolia, Where Time Stands Still

Nestled in the heart of the Aegean Region, Birgi is one of Türkiye’s best-preserved historical towns — a living open-air museum where the past and present exist side by side. Located in the district of Ödemiş, this charming village has hosted countless civilizations from ancient times to the Ottoman era, preserving its unique architectural and cultural identity.

🏺 A Journey Through Civilizations

From the Phrygians (750–680 BC) to the Lydians, Persians, Kingdom of Pergamon, and the Roman Empire, Birgi has been a center of life for thousands of years.
During the Byzantine period, it was first called Pyrigion (meaning tower) and later Christoupolis.
In the Beyliks era, Birgi served as the capital of the Aydınid Principality in the 13th and 14th centuries.

🕌 Birgi Grand Mosque & The Mausoleum of Sultan Şah

The Grand Mosque of Birgi (Ulu Camii) was built in 1312 by Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey in memory of his sister Sultan Şah.
The mosque, with its square layout and minimal ornamentation, reflects the elegance of Seljuk architecture blended with the early Anatolian beylik style.

• Intricately carved wooden minbar created using the kündekâri technique, completed in 7 years
• Wooden window shutters feature Hadiths (sayings) of Prophet Muhammad
• A unique lion relief sculpture decorates the southeast corner

🏛️ Çakırağa Mansion: A Nobleman's Dream

One of the finest examples of Ottoman civil architecture, Çakırağa Mansion was built in the 18th century by a wealthy leather merchant.

• Lower floors made of stone; upper levels crafted in timber and traditional Bağdadi technique
• Adorned with naturalistic paintings, floral motifs, geometric patterns, and colorful murals
• Features frescoes depicting Izmir and Istanbul, painted to soothe the longing of the owner’s wives from those cities

🏡 A Timeless Heritage Town

Birgi is not just a village — it’s a cultural treasure trove:

• 171 registered historical buildings
• Mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, public baths, fountains, mansions, and wooden bay-window houses
• Entire town was declared a protected heritage site in 1996 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Birgi is one of the very few towns in Western Anatolia that has retained its original identity and architectural integrity through the centuries.

📍 How to Get There

• From Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport or Intercity Bus Terminal,
  follow the Bayındır–Ödemiş route via highway or expressway
• Birgi is about 130 km from Izmir and takes approximately 2 hours by car

📲 Discover Birgi with Advisormapp

With the Advisormapp mobile app and website, you can:

• 🗺️ Get directions and travel routes
• 🎧 Access audio guides in multiple languages
• 🕌 Find historic sites, local shops, and restaurants
• 📸 Explore hidden gems with ease

🌐 Visit: www.advisormapp.com

🌿 Birgi: Where History Whispers and Nature Embraces

Walking through Birgi is like stepping into a storybook — one written with stone, wood, and silence.
Its timeless streets, carved doors, ancient tales, and unspoiled atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for history lovers and cultural explorers alike.

📌 Don’t miss this hidden treasure of Izmir on your next journey.

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