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The province of Mugla is located at the south of the Aegean Region and is founded at the skirts of the Asar (Hisar) Mountain spreading towards the plain and is a beautiful and clean tourism paradise with its original architecture, whitewashed walls, red roof tiled roofs, authentic chimneys and narrow streets.
Districts : Mugla (center), Bodrum, Dalaman, Datça, Fethiye, Kavaklidere, Köycegiz, Marmaris, Milas, Ortaca, Ula, Yatagan.
The city centre boasts many beautiful examples of civil architecture. First of all, park your car on one of the streets that lead to the central square where the Governor’s Office is located, walk for 100 metres and enter the Arasta (Historical Bazaar). The Arasta is as if it was frozen at the beginning of the 20th century, with its saddle-maker, shoe-maker, barber shop, hardware store, small businesses, small restaurants and a fountain at its centre. In the bazaar there are also shops that sell traditional souvenirs as well as the famous Mugla woven material. If you feel hungry, walk into any of the small worker’s restaurants. On their menu you would come across traditional local dishes such as eksili dös dolmasi (stuffed sour meat) and keskek (wheat boiled with minced meat), which are among the delicacies you must try. After your meal, you should go to Helvaci Tahsin and do not forget to try the local tahin helva (sweetmeat of sesame seeds and molasses) and the Çitirmik (a local dessert). While you wander in the bazaar the old Clock Tower will catch your attention. Built in 1895 by the Russian master Fulvari, the tower still carries his signature and the clock on the tower is still working.
The most beautiful samples of the "Historical Mugla Houses" are in the old district of Saburhane, just above the power station that in turn is above the Arasta. The main religious structures in the city are the Kursunlu Camii (Mosque) (1493), the Pazar Yeri Mosque (1842), and the Sahidi Mosque in the centre. In the Seyh Bedrettin district there is the Seyh Camii, built by Seyh (Sheik) Bedrettin in (1565) with its minaret added in the early 19th century, and the Ulu Camii (the Great Mosque) which was built by the Mentese Bey (Emir of the Turkish tribal kingdom) Ibrahim in 1334 opposite of the electric station.
The Ottoman-built inns of Yarim Han, Yagcilar Han and the Konakalti are also worth seeing. The Yagcilar Han, which has been restored and is still in use, is a frequent stopping point for tourists. The 250 year old Konakalti Han is presently serving as the Konakalti Culture Centre. The Vakiflar Hamami (Turkish Bath), built by Ibrahim the Mentese Bey in 1334 as a part of the foundation to support the Ulu Mosque, after being restored has become a focal point for Mugla locals as well as domestic and foreign tourists.
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