Lake Egirdir & Town

Lake Egirdir & Town

Lake Egirdir is situated in the Isparta Province of Turkey, approximately 180 kilometers north of Antalya. It is the second-largest freshwater body and the fourth largest lake in the country, covering an area of 482 square kilometers with a total basin size of 3,309 square kilometers. The lake has an average depth of 14 meters and is located at an altitude of 917 meters above sea level.

The town of Egirdir has a rich history, having been established by the Hittites and subsequently falling under the control of the Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, and forces of Alexander the Great. During the Roman era, the town was known as Prostanna, and in Byzantine times, it was called Akrotiri, meaning "peninsula." During this period, it was a center for religious life. The Seljuk Turks conquered the town around 1080, and it later became a small principality under the rule of the Hamidoğulları tribe until 1381.

Lake Egirdir & Town

In 1417, the Ottoman Empire took control of Egirdir. The town's population mostly comprised of Orthodox Greeks until 1924 when they were exchanged for Muslims from Greece, leading to an Islamic majority.

Green Island is a charming island located 1.5 km away from Eğirdir, with a total area of 9 hectares. Its rock-based wooden houses, narrow streets, and small fisherman shelters give it an authentic feel. Tourists are drawn to Green Island for its boardinghouses and fish restaurants. Visitors can also visit the Ayastefanos Church located on the island.

Can Island is a tiny island, only 7000 square meters in size, situated between Eğirdir and Green Island. It was gifted to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1933.

Hizirbey Mosque is the largest mosque in Eğirdir, built by Hızır Bey in 1327-1328, burned down in 1814 and rebuilt. It reopened for worship in 1820 under the leadership of Yılanlıoğlu Şheikh Ali Aga. The mosque is notable for its large size and unique minaret situated at the front entrance arches, making it a significant building in the area.

Dündar Bey Madrasa is located opposite the Hizir Bey Mosque, formerly a caravanserai built by Seljuk Sultan in 1237 and later transformed into a madrasa in 1301 by Hamidoğlu Dündar Bey. The two-story madrasa has a courtyard in the center and a big stone door on its outer edges. It features geometric designs from the Seljuk era and is no longer used for religious purposes, instead operating as a bazaar. One noteworthy aspect of the madrasa is the walk-through minaret that connects to the mosque.