Fevziye Village: Wrestling Tradition and Ottoman Traces

Fevziye Village brings together a long wrestling tradition, Ottoman traces and routes that pass through the village in different ways. Particularly notable are the Fevziye Yağlı Güreşleri and the small Hacı Muratlar Mescidi; tombstones and a hiking trail offer further perspectives on the village. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Fevziye, these themes can help you shape your itinerary around your interests: is your focus on cultural history, wrestling or time outdoors?

Wrestling Tradition in Fevziye

The Fevziye Yağlı Güreşleri take place in the village of Fevziye. A report by the Yalova Governor’s Office from June 2026 puts their history at 116 years. For the competitions described there, it gives a figure of around 400 wrestlers, from junior participants to Başpehlivans. For travellers interested in culture, they bring together a long tradition and different levels of competition. Altınova Municipality also highlights their importance: it describes the Tarihi Fevziye Güreşleri as Turkey’s last and longest-continuing Er Meydanı tradition preserved in a village setting.

Tourism Route and Hiking Trail

On its stretch from Altınova towards Çiftlikköy, the Yeşil-Mavi Tourism Route passes through Fevziye, as well as Soğuksu, Kocadere, Tevfikiye and Sermayecik. The route is 127 kilometres long; another 62 kilometres consist of connecting roads, bringing the total to 189 kilometres. The two figures refer to different lengths: 127 kilometres for the route, and 189 kilometres including the connecting roads.

The Aktoprak–Keramet hiking trail is described differently: it is approximately 12 kilometres long and rated difficulty level 2. The described approach runs through Karadere, Fevziye, Tevfikiye and Aktoprak; the actual trail then begins on an unpaved track branching off from the road. The hiking trail is considered particularly unspoiled and suitable for landscape photography. Conditions may vary depending on the season, so it is worth checking the latest trail conditions before setting out.

The Mescidi, the Oak and the Prayer Tradition

The Hacı Muratlar Mescidi was built in 1908, is 4.5 metres wide and 6 metres long, and is one of the smallest mescids in Turkey. It is an example of late Ottoman architecture and was restored as part of a project led by the provincial administration. A report dated 17 February 2024 records its ceremonial reopening for worship after the restoration. If you would like to see inside the mescid, you should check access arrangements in advance.

The oak standing directly beside the mescid was traditionally used as a minaret for the call to prayer. A simple structure was installed to enable access to the tree and continue this tradition. This connects the mosque’s architectural history with a local prayer tradition that also involves the tree.

Tombstones and Settlement History

At the northwest corner of Fevziye’s central mosque is a small hazire, a burial ground with a tombstone for Zeliha Hanım dated 1902 and another for Hacı Ahmed Efendi dated 1906. Two graves at the village entrance are attributed to İshak Efendi and his daughter. The tombstone for Şerife Hanım, İshak Efendi’s daughter, bears the date 1902–1903; a stone attributed to an İshak Efendi is dated 1890–1891.

The settlement of Circassian groups in Fevziye offers another historical perspective. According to one historical account, the first group settled in Fevziye in 1879; a second followed around 1881–1882. Together with the tombstones, these details give an impression of how different historical connections can be seen side by side in the village.

Find a Holiday Rental to Suit Your Trip

When looking for a holiday rental in Fevziye, the purpose of your trip can help guide your choice: if you are planning a stay around the Yağlı Güreşleri, the event dates are an important part of your planning. If the hiking trail is your main focus, its stated length, difficulty level and seasonal trail conditions are useful points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Altınova, Çınarcık, Elmalık, Çiftlikköy, Fıstıklı Village, Armutlu, Termal, Kirazlı Village.

For the main travel overview: Yalova.