Birgi Historical Town

Birgi Historical Town

Birgi, a small town located in the Ödemiş district of İzmir province, Turkey, was originally called Pyrgion but over time, the name evolved to Birgi.

The town has a long history, dating back to the Phrygian Civilization (750-680 BC) and later the Lydia Civilization (680-546 BC), Persian Kingdom, and the Pergamon Kingdom from 183 BC to 133 AD. Birgi was then ruled by the Roman and Byzantine Empires until the 13th century when it became the capital of the Aydınoğlu Principality during the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1426, it was conquered by the Ottomans.

Birgi Historical Town

Birgi is renowned for its historic residential dwellings that date from various periods. The town still boasts many architectural gems, including the Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque (also known as The Great Mosque) and Cakiraga Mansion, both of which are notable structures.

The Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque, also known as The Great Mosque, is a fine example of typical Seljukid architecture and was constructed in 1312. Some notable features of the mosque include a meticulously crafted mimbar made entirely of wood with no metallic nails, and a mihrab crafted from dark cyan marble. The lion statue located in the south-eastern corner of the mosque is also interesting, as statues are rare in Islamic architecture. This particular statue was repurposed from a Lydian building as spolia.

Cakiraga Mansion, commissioned in 1761 by the wealthy merchant Çakıroğlu Mehmet Bey, is a three-storey mansion situated on high embankments. The ground floor of the mansion is reserved for stables, a kitchen, and a guest room. The first and second floors house the living quarters, with a central fireplace on the first floor to provide heat.