Gebze

Gebze combines early Ottoman buildings and historic sites with a distinctive karst landscape in the district. Its varied themes offer concrete starting points for tailoring your stay to cultural or nature experiences.

Early Ottoman architecture

A central cultural and historical landmark is the Çoban Mustafa Paşa Külliyesi. According to the Arabic inscription above its gate, it was built in 1523/24 (H. 930). The complex includes a mosque, a tomb, a madrasah, a library, a caravanserai, a darüşşifa and an imaret. It thus comprises different types of buildings that can be explored together by anyone interested in Ottoman architecture. Çoban Mustafa Paşa is buried in the tomb on the qibla side of the mosque in his külliye.

Two other mosques also offer a glimpse into Gebze’s early history. The Sultan Orhan Mosque lies west of Gebze; its construction is estimated to have taken place between 1323 and 1331. It was built by Sultan Orhan, who is described as the founder of Gebze, and is considered one of the simplest and most unadorned examples of the early Ottoman period. Construction of the İlyas Bey Mosque is estimated to have begun in 1326, during the years of Gebze’s first conquest. Its exact construction date is unknown; it is considered one of the oldest surviving mosques from the Ottoman period.

Fountains, a hammam and historic sites of remembrance

In the city center, the İbrahim Paşa Fountain stands right next to the Çoban Mustafa Paşa Hammam. The hammam has separate sections for women and men. The İbrahim Paşa Fountain was built in 1664. It should not be confused with the Hünkar Fountain: Grand Vizier İbrahim Paşa had it built in 1659 under Sultan Mehmed IV.

The name Hünkar Çayırı refers to the meadow where Fatih Sultan Mehmet stopped to rest with his army or had his tent pitched on April 27, 1481, during his campaign from Üsküdar toward İzmit. Traditional wrestling events are held there every year to mark the conquest of Istanbul. This historic site and recurring event offer a different focus from the buildings in the city center.

Eskihisar and Ballıkayalar in Gebze District

In the associated municipality, the Yalı commissioned by Osman Hamdi Bey is located in the Eskihisar neighborhood; it was built in 1884. Osman Hamdi Bey painted his works in this building. Also in Eskihisar is the castle, built before 1241. It consists of an inner and an outer section; its documented features include a Byzantine cistern with eight columns and fifteen domes. Another historic memorial stands on the TÜBİTAK grounds in Gebze District: the Hannibal Monument. Hannibal’s grave is unknown, while Gebze is named as the place where he died.

Those who would rather experience a landscape than architectural history can visit the Ballıkayalar Valley in the Tavşanlı area of Gebze District. The karst gorge was formed by the dissolution of limestone. Its features include a lake, waterfalls and viewing terraces on travertine surfaces. There are hiking areas on the eastern and western ridges of the canyon, and flat areas are available for pitching tents. The valley is suitable for camping and trekking. These natural features and activities clearly distinguish this excursion from the mosques, fountains and historic buildings.

When choosing a holiday apartment, the balance of culture and nature you want may therefore be decisive: Gebze offers the opportunity to explore early Ottoman architecture and historic sites, while Ballıkayalar adds a landscape for trekking and camping. For further orientation: Selimiye, Gölcük, Sarıgazi, Panayır Köyü, Degirmendere, Kandıra, Hamidiye and Darıca.

For the broader travel overview: Kocaeli.