Sakarya

Harmantepe Castle is located on a small hill. It was built to protect the eastern border of the Byzantine Empire during the 12th and 13th centuries. It is one of the castles that survived in a good condition to this day in Sakarya. The walls of the fortress are 8 to 10 meters in height. It is an incredible structure that is worth seeing.

During the reign of Sultan Orhan Bey of the Ottoman Empire, this mosque was built in the honor of the sultan and his name was given to the mosque itself. The Orhan Gazi Mosque was rebuilt as a larger structure between the years 1316 and 1318. However, this mosque also received damage over the years and was rebuilt between 1893 and 1894.

Yunus Paşa Mosque was built in 1517 by Yunus Paşa (Pasha), the vizier of sultan Yavuz Selim when he was in Egypt expedition. The dome of the mosque is covered with lead which is why the mosque is also known as “Kurşulu Cami” meaning “the mosque with lead”. Above the main door of the mosque, the 24th ayah (verse) of the surah Ar-Ra’d from the Holy Qur’an is written in Arabic and it means “Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured”. It is a small mosque with only one minaret that is worth seeing.

Justinian Bridge is located on Çark River and it is a structure built in the early Byzantine Empire era. It was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between the years 558 and 560 CE. It is a stone bridge that is 365 meters long and 9,85 meters wide, it also has 12 arches. Justinian Bridge was listed in the tentative World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2018.

Lake Sapanca is one of the most famous lakes in Turkey. The lake has a legend that has been told from one generation to the other. According to the legend, there was a town in the past where the lake is located today. The people of this town were extremely rich but they were also obsessed with worldly possessions. One day, a man who was poor yet kindhearted visited the town. He wanted to be a guest at one of the houses in the town however, none of the townspeople accepted him to their house. The man, who was actually a dervish, was about to leave the town even though he was thirsty and hungry but he came across a little hut. A sling maker was living in the hut and he accepted the dervish into his hut with a warm smile. He offered him food and a place to stay. The sling maker accompanied the dervish to the mountains the next morning. When the sling maker came back home, he saw nothing but a lake in the place of the town after a disaster hit it, the town was flooded. When you visit the lake, you can actually see the top of a minaret in the middle of the lake indicating that there was indeed a town underneath the lake and it is still there. Although, some locals say that the minaret cannot be seen anymore. There are many historical landmarks around the place where you can pay a visit as well as cafes and restaurants with a lake view.

Kuzuluk Thermal Springs are the ones most visited by those who live in Istanbul due to its closeness. The thermal springs can be visited during any season. Since there are many hotels and resorts around the Kuzuluk Thermal Springs, you can enjoy the health benefits of the place while having a comfortable stay. Kuzuluk Thermal Springs are known to be good for asthma, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract allergies. It also has a healing effect on skin conditions such as eczema and acne. There are many other conditions and diseases the Kuzuluk Thermal Springs have a healing effect on and each of them is treated differently. You should research the thermal springs and find the best treatment for your own condition before you decide to go.

Doğançay Waterfall is one of the hidden gems of Sakarya. Nature lovers would love to discover and explore the waterfall as well as the area surrounding it. However, it should be noted that reaching the waterfall is quite challenging. Some of the steep roads can be dangerous especially for children and the elderly. If you are planning a trip to the waterfall you have to bring non-slip shoes.

Kent Park is a park near the city center that both residents and visitors love to visit. The park is located on a 160.000 m2 area. Kent Park also has a pond that is 14.000 m2 in size. You can travel to the islands in the pond via bridges built across. You can go on walks in the park or spend time with your family, enjoying nature together.