Güdül
Member of the Turkish National Network
Güdül, which is one of the smallest districts of Ankara, located in the Central Anatolia Region, is about 90 km from Ankara center. Güdül is neighbor to Ayaş, Beypazarı, Kızılcahamam and Çamlıdere districts and has a border with the Western Black Sea Region. Güdül located in the north west of Ankara; with its nature, architecture, culture and history, it is a charming city that can be the center of attraction for calm and tranquility.
Although many definitions are used for many cities, Güdül really has surprises that will surprise you. Especially İnönü Caves, Sorgun Pond and Kirmir Valley “where did I come!” evokes a sense.
History
Investigations in Güdül and its surroundings have shown that the region's history dates back to very old times. There are caves built by carving rocks around Kirmir Stream close to the district. The caves remained from the Hittites who lived in the region around 2000 BC. After these dates, Güdül and its surroundings were under the control of Phrygians.
It was understood from the sign of the cross in the caves in the location called İn-Önü that the Romans dwelled the region during the spread of Christianity. Later, it is thought that the Byzantines lived. After the Malazgirt Victory dated 1071, Güdül and its surroundings came under the administration of the Anatolian Seljuks. The district was established 850 years ago by Şehabüldevle Güdül Bey, who was the uncle of Anatolian Seljuk rulers, Mesut I.
The surface area of the district is 419 km². It is 720 meters above sea level. Agriculture and animal husbandry are carried out in the district where Kirmir Stream, a branch of Sakarya River and also Suvari Stream and İlhan Stream pass the district, too.
Mohair Goat, which is said to have been brought from the east of the Caspian Sea by Turks who migrated from Central Asia to Anatolia in the 13th century, is also known as Ankara Goat. The fact that this goat, which lived only around Ankara until the 1840s, got its name from Ankara all over the world is presented as the most important evidence supporting this view. The main importance of the Ankara goat is only due to the mohair produced from these goats. For many years, the world's only, in later years, Turkey has been the largest manufacturer of mohair. Today, it ranks third in the world mohair production behind South Africa and the USA. Güdül takes the first place in the Angora goat breeding, which is mostly grown in the Güdül, Ayaş, Beypazarı and Nallıhan districts of Ankara.
Cultural heritage, history and nature preserves with still Gudul, which celebrated the founding of the Republic is the only district in Turkey two days, continues this tradition since the founding of the Republic. With the 'Sinsin' game and fire in the festive atmosphere on October 28 and 29, all the people participate in this celebration. Fire symbolizes rebirth and resurrection.
Places to visit
GÜDÜL CITY MUSEUM
The museum displays collection materials that reflect the social, economic and cultural values of Güdül's history. Especially the copies of the rock inscriptions are impressive.
GÜDÜL HOUSES
These are houses with a unique architecture and have survived to the present day. Houses generally have common features of Anatolian culture. Generally, the walls are mudbrick and soil roofed structures. They are lined along narrow streets and are adjacent. There are 39 of these houses reflecting the regional culture in Güdül. Besides, 2 mosques and 13 workplaces have survived. Güdül houses are under protection.
SORGUN POND
It is located in Sorgun-Yayla neighborhood. There is a distance of 23 kilometers from the district center. Covered with pine forests, the pond has provided an amazing natural beauty to the region. It is an eco tourism area used by Ankara residents to escape from the noise of the city at weekends. There are mountain ranges that are the continuation of Bolu Mountain. Trout and carp fish live in the lake. Angling is free at certain times of the year. In 2011, the pond was declared as a Nature Park. There are trekking and hiking trails in the park. Tent camping could be organized. Sorgun Pond, which is home to many plant species and animals, is a convenient place for bird watching and nature photography.
İNÖNÜ CAVES
It is believed that these caves carved into the rocks along the Kirmir Stream passing near the district belong to 2000s BC. The caves, which are thought to be used by Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks respectively, are 2 km away from the city center. The İnönü Caves, which are similar to the Ürgüp-Göreme Caves, also include stairs to climb. They consist of cellar, kitchen and room structures. İnönü Caves and Kirmir Stream, which are one of the important recreation areas in terms of tourism, have been designed as “Glass terrace and eco tourism area”. Within the scope of the project, local product sales centers, viewing terrace, sports fields and riverside recreational areas will be built.
SALİHLER ROCK INSCRIPTIONS
The rock inscriptions within the boundaries of Güdül Salihler and Adalıkuzu Villages were found by the villagers in the region in 2008, and were brought to the public by the works of Servet Somuncuoğlu. The inscriptions, which appear to have the same letter character as the Orkhon Inscriptions, are thought to have been written before them..
Among the hundreds of inscriptions in the area of five and a half square kilometers, hunting scenes, the sun, the men shooting arrows, burial depictions, directional signs and the stamps of some Turkish tribes are visible. The runic written documents found in the rock painting areas in the rural areas of Ankara Güdül Salihler Village are direct proofs and title deed of Turks in Anatolia.
"These inscriptions are undoubtedly the direct evidence that the Turks had been in Anatolia and settled before 1071," the researchers say. Producer - Director Servet Somuncuoğlu, who has been tracing the “Turks on the Stone” for years, brought these inscriptions to the screens with the documentary “Migration of Stamps”, one of the most important discoveries of Anatolian archeology. Inscriptions were declared a protected area. There is no vehicle road at a distance of 2 km after Salihler Village and it is necessary to go on foot to see the inscriptions.
YEŞİLÖZ KİRMİR VALLEY
The rocks in the Kirmir Valley on the Güdül Kızılcahamam road and in Yeşilöz Neighborhood, 6 km from the center, have the appearance of fairy chimneys. There are caves carved on the rocks. Cable-stayed bridges over Kirmir stream attract the attention of visitors to the region.
Local Dishes
KAPAMA
The meat is thoroughly blended with onion, pepper and salt and filled into the pod. The pot is inverted into a deep container. Chickpea is spread around. To understand that the meat in the pot is cooked, a few pieces of bony meat are thrown with the chickpeas. Then water is added. The mixture is cooked until the meat becomes soft. The pilaf pot is reversed and taken. Rice with chickpeas is added to boiling water. It is closed when cooked.
Black pepper is added and served hot. The pot is a kind of jug with a small hole, except for the well-known water pots, with a wide mouth and a small hole that allows steam to be released when turned upside down. The pot has its name as it is being turned upside down on the table. Kapama won the first prize in the meat dishes category in a competition held in Ankara to promote local dishes in 2002.
KEYMAN
It is a yellow milled plant. Preparation: Put 5 spoons of Keyman in a bowl and add 3 glasses of water. Water is changed every hour. Salt-mixed garlic is placed in Keyman. Salt and chili peppers can also be added upon request. Keyman can be eaten in different ways. The most common is to add Sulguç to Keyman.
How is Sulguç Prepared?
Half a kilo of minced meat is roasted in a pan. After the minced meat is pink, 2 glasses of hot water are put in it and cooked on a light fire until the water boils. If the bread is Güdül flat bread, there is no satisfaction with the meal.
GÜDÜL GRAPE
Nearly 20 different kinds of grapes grow in the neighbourhood of Karacaören in Güdül. The history of viticulture in Karacaören dates back to very old times. There are 100 years old and older vineyards in the neighborhood. It is said that edible grapes go to the Ottoman palace from this region. Viticulture is done completely without water in the region. Grapes are grown not by hanging them on wires but by spreading them on the ground. Grape molasses made in Güdül is known for its naturalness in Ankara.
ŞİBİT
By mixing flour, water and salt, a soft dough is obtained. This dough is left under the damp cloth for 10 minutes. It is divided into two equal pieces, each piece is opened in thickness of dough and lightly cooked on a metal plate.
Preparation of Syrup: Water and sugar are boiled in a pot. Melted butter is added to it. The dough cut in the form of baklava is added to the previously prepared syrup. Service is done immediately.
Projects
Commercialization and Development of Local Products Project:
It was carried out in 2019 with the support of Ankara Development Agency. Within the scope of the project, a women's cooperative was established and local products market place was made. The products that were produced started to be marketed under the brand Güdül Gözü. İnönü Caves Recreation Area Project:
Construction of the glass terrace viewing area, local products sales area, eco life natural area will start in 2020.
Tahtacıörencik Natural Life Collective:
Tahtacıörencik Natural Life Collective was established in April 2013. It has been working in coordination of Dört Mevsim Ekolojik Yaşam Association since 2014. It is a formation in Güdül's Tahtacıörencik Village that aims to protect and develop the natural environment, natural life and nature-friendly production practices and to develop a sustainable rural. In Tahtacıörencik Village, small scale natural agriculture and animal husbandry are carried out. Families are mostly farming without drugs and hormones for their own needs. Black cattle breed, Ankara goats and sheep, which are the native breeds of Anatolia, are freely grazed. There are conscious producers willing to increase their natural production. The natural production activities have been started by the association all over Güdül.
LEADER (Implementation of Local Development Strategies):
Within the scope of IPARD program, LEADER Association was established and a local development plan was prepared.
Sorgun Pond Recreation Area Project:
The project prepared for the establishment of an adventure park, tent camping area and local product sales area in Sorgun Pond. The project has been accepted Ankara Development Agency. and the implementation phase has started.
Ankara Goat Breeding and Mohair Production Project:
Studies are continuing to increase Ankara Goat breeding and local production from the obtained mohair.
Slowfood Representatives:
Name&Surname: Mustafa Hikmet KALAYCIOĞLU
Telephone: +905323560688
E-mail: hikmet_kalaycioglu@hotmail.com - m.hikmet06@gmail.com
Address: Güdül Yerel Eylem Derneği Yukarımahalle Ordu Caddesi No:20 Güdül/ANKARA/TURKEY
Representatives of Cittaslow:
Name&Surname: Muzaffer YALÇIN
Telephone: +905323470385
E-mail: muzafferyal@gmail.com
Address: Güdül Belediye Başkanlığı Yenimahalle Ordu Caddesi No:24 Güdül/ANKARA/TURKEY
Who is Muzaffer YALÇIN?
Muzaffer Yalçın was born in Güdül in 1956. He completed his primary, secondary and high school education in Ankara. He is married and has 3 children. Between 1980-1994, he worked as the Çağa Municipality Account Affairs Manager. He served as the Mayor of Çağa for two terms in 1994-2004. Between 2004-2009, he worked as district secretary and other organization in Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi - AK Parti”) Güdül District Administration. He was the Mayor of Çağa district from Justice and Development Party in 2009-2014. Between 2014-2017, he served as the Chairman of Justice and Development Party in Güdül District. He was elected as a Council Member of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in the local administrations election in 2014, and at the same time he served as a Council Member of and the Deputy Mayor of Güdül Municipality. He continues his higher education in Eskişehir Anadolu University, Department of Local Governments. He has held various positions in many non-governmental organizations and he is still the Chairman of the Board of Güdül Foundation, where he was elected in 2016.
Web page of the Cittaslow:
http://www.sakinsehirgudul.net
Official website of the city: