Bozüyük is situated between the southern borders of the Marmara region and the northwestern borders of the Central Anatolia region.

 

            It is an industrial city that has witnessed great industrialization movements in the last 20 years.

 

            It sits on the crossroads of all highways and railways connecting big cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Bursa.

 

            There was a large-scale industrial boom in our district after the province of Bilecik and its districts were included among priority development zones in the 1970s.

 

            Today, Bozüyük has become a large industrial town with over 50 industrial businesses of various sizes.

 

            Besides its industrial qualities, Bozüyük is also an important city thanks to its geographical position, transport, energy and investment opportunities, historic and cultural assets, traditional local cuisine as well as cultural and touristic attractions.

 

            Anatolia has always been a region rich with colorful stories thanks to its position at the crossroads between Asia and Europe. Historic ruin sites show that the first rules of the region were the Hittites, then the Phrygians coming from the Balkans ruled over the region and founded the ancient city of Mine in where is now İçköy, Yaylacık and Manişar. The Cimmerians coming from the East over the Caucasus ended 600 years of Phrygian rule. Their reign of almost a hundred years was in turn ended by the Lydians from the west after a century.

In the following centuries, the region was ruled by Persians from the east and Macedonians under Alexander the Great from the west. When Alexander's empire was divided, the Bithinians, who were a part of the empire, lived in the area for a long time. It was later ruled by the Roman Empire before joining the realm of the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire. Bozüyük was known as "Lamunia" at the time.

            Around 600 - 720, the region served as a transition zone for the Arab Emevi forces coming to conquer Istanbul.

            After the battle of Manzikert, where the Byzantine army was defeated by Seljuk forces, Bozüyük and its environs fell under Seljuk rule.

            Afterwards the area often changed hands. In the following years (11^th century A.D. and beyond) the Crusades, especially the First Crusade, meant that the region often changed hands between Christians and Muslims. The most recent historic event about the effects of the Crusades is the battle of Dorylaion between the Crusade commander Godfrey and the Seljuk sultan Kilij Arslan I in 1097.

            When Anatolia fell entirely under Seljuk control, Bozüyük became a chora (village) of the Sultanonu border province. When the Seljuklu sultan Masud II classified the region between Eskişehir and Yenişehir a single province and gifted the province to Osman I in this second message to the Ottoman ruler in 1289, the Ottoman reign in the region started.

            Before 1525, the villages of Çayköy, Arıklar, İçköy and Atkaydı covered what is now known as Bozüyük.

            The Ottomans made the local residence pay for the rations of both the troops fighting at the borders and the troops passing through the realm on their way to the front. This military route and short rest points were determined in advance and the rations of food and feed needed at these points were calculated and demanded from the local women. When an army led by Kasim Pasha passed through Bozüyük for Suleiman the Magnificent's Baghdad campaign, the people of Bozüyük provided rations for the army. Kasim Pasha was very pleased with the help. He promises to build a mosque right in the center of the four villages if he comes back victorious. Kasim Pasha wins the war and indeed keeps his promise, building a mosque complex (with additional buildings to be used as inns, hammams, dining halls and primary schools) between 1525 and 1528. The inhabitants of the four villages slowly start moving to the Kasimpasha neighborhood, where the mosque complex is, therefore forming the modern-day Bozüyük. Bozüyük served as the capital district of the Sultanönü province for many years. When most of the Turks fleeing the Balkans after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 settled in Bozüyük, the increasing population meant that different district towns and municipalities were formed.

            There is an interesting anecdote about how Bozüyük became a township. The story goes that notable people of Bozüyük decide to kidnap the town director of Inönü so that Bozüyük would become a township. They prepare his residence and office beforehand. One day, late at night, they go to Inönü in horse carriages and kidnap the town director. When the residents of Inönü wake up in the morning to find their town director gone, they file a complaint. The authorities are perplexed because nothing of the kind had ever happened before.  However, they are also amused by what people of Bozöyük had done. They arrange for a new town director for Inönü, and make the kidnapped town director stay in Bozüyük. Before this incident, Bozüyük had been a village of the town of İnönü, itself under the jurisdiction of Söğüt.

 

            Bozüyük thus became a township of the Söğüt jurisdiction. When the liva of Ertuğrul was founded in 1885, it fell under its jurisdiction as a township of Söğüt. It became a township of the province of Bilecik when provinces were created in 1924. In 1924 it became, as a single entity with İnönü, a district of Bilecik. İnönü remained a township of Bozüyük until 1963, when it was attached to the central district of Eskişehir and eventually becoming a district of Eskişehir in 1987. In 1995, the villages of Düzdağ, previously of Söğüt, and in 1997, the village of Metristepe (Doruk), again of Söğüt, were attached to Bozüyük.

 

            During the first days of the western front in the Turkish War of Independence (June 18, 1920), Bozüyük served as field headquarters for a while, serving as a part of the support network as the army stopped the enemy advance toward Eskişehir when Bursa fell in the June of 1920. Bozüyük was invaded by the Greek during the 1^st and 2^nd Battles of İnönü first between January 9, 1921 and March 14, 1921 and again a second time between March 26, 1921 and April 1, 1921. It was invaded for a third time on July 12, 1921 and was liberated on September 4, 1922 in ruins.

            Sources: http://www.bozuyuk.bel.tr/kent_rehberi.asp?id=5

 

 

Many leading companies in the Turkish economy such as Eczacıbaşı, Toprak, Ak – Gök, Demirer Kablo, Eti, İdaş and Vaillant have invested in our district.

Our industry includes a variety of goods such as paper products, wash basins, sponge, radiators, biscuits, cables, trout, wind turbines and power generation. Our region is ready to accommodate investors looking to invest in similar and/or different industries.

 

 

The region supplies the majority of the production potential for earthenware goods and healthcare equipment. We are well positioned in an area that can supply potential investors with raw materials like clay, kaolin, magnetite, feldspar and marble dust.

 

 

People in our region started to gain experience in industrial work with the Sümerbank ceramic venture founded by the state. Later, Eczacıbaşı, Demirdöküm and the Toprak group improved our industrial worker potential with their investments. Easy access to qualified workers can be an advantage for industrialists looking to invest in the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our district has the infrastructure needed for the marketing and distribution of industrial products and it is situated at the crossroads of highway and railway connections between Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Kütahya and Eskişehir. It has largely completed its transportation infrastructure.

The Bozüyük belt highway, constructed as a part of the Adapazarı-Mekece highway project, has been completed. This construction provided relief from traffic congestion in the city center and transit transport services became faster and more reliable.

The second leg of the fast track Ankara-Eskişehir train connection between Eskişehir and İstanbul passes through our district.  This project is planned to be completed in 2013.

A container loading ramp operated by the State Railways since the end of 1997 is ready to serve all industrial and export companies.

The Railway-Connected Logistics Center, whose construction bid will be completed in 2012 will enable all companies exporting from the region to get their goods out of the country in a much more economical and efficient way.

Many companies can thus export their products, particularly ceramics and earthenware to all European and Middle Eastern countries.

 

 

Ak Energy Combined Cycle plant attacked to the Ak-Gök group has solved the problem of constant clean energy supply for industrial use in the region.

The 120-megawatt plant is still operational and supplies the industrial businesses in the region with affordable energy without voltage fluctuations or drops.

Moreover, construction of a wind farm in Metristepe to the northeast of our city is about to be completed. When this project becomes operational, 39 MW' of energy will be generated by wind power in the region.

 

 

Bozüyük, the most developed district of the Bilecik province, is situated at the crossroads of highway and railway connections between Istanbul, Eskişehir and Ankara and of highway connections between Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir and Bursa.

Many important caravan routes passed through Bozüyük throughout history. Bozüyük still maintains that character.

The "Bilecik-Bozüyük Organized Industrial Zone (BORSAB) was founded within the Special Provincial Directorate of Administration in 1996-1997 in an area of 5 235 345 m2.

 

Industrial plot (82) (3 407 942) m2

Social Facilities (8) (46 317) m2.

Parking area (1) (46 317) m2.

Treatment facilities (1) (136 749) m2.

Green space 120 00 m2.

Technical Service Area (1) (37,001) m2

32 of the industrial plots (1 562 935 m2) were allocated to 30 different companies.

50 more (1 844 294 m2) are ready to be allocated. The occupancy rate of our industrial plots is 45.86%.

15 companies have completed their investment and started production. Around 1500 people are employed by these companies.

100 hectares of the first stage of the organized industrial zone was completed with all the necessary infrastructure including roads, sewage, rainwater collection and drinking water systems.

Construction bidding for the second stage of construction on 424 hectares of land was completed with the loan subsidy of the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology was completed on July 19, 2012. The construction is planned to be completed in October 2014.

When the ongoing construction is completed and the companies start production, the region's economy will be invigorated. This will be a significant contribution to the overall economy of the country.

6 more companies will begin production in 2014. This will mean that around 2000 people will be employed by the companies working within our organized industrial zone.

The organized industrial area is equipped with a natural gas line since 2009.

A supply pipe between the borehole and the water tank is used to supply the zone with water. Additional boreholes exist in each industrial plot for the use of the companies.

A transformer station was set up by the Turkish Electric Transmission Company on the plot provided by the organized industrial zone. The zone gets its electricity from this station.

Protocols are signed with the Turkish Telecommunication Company to provide fiber optic cables for telecommunication services.

 

The project for the treatment facility has been completed, pending approval. The facility is planned to be completed at the end of 2014. The latest stimulus package announced gives our organized industrial zone 3+1 status, which means exemptions from VAT, customs, social security etc. will be available for the investor companies.

The upcoming Railway-Connected Logistics Center right next door is another advantage of our industrial zone. The tendering process has been completed.

 

The infrastructure for the first 100 hectares was completed with Ministry loans.

Infrastructure projects for the second stage of construction have been submitted to the Ministry and are pending tender bidding. The organized industrial zone does not have a complete sewage system. A treatment facility is planned to be constructed when the second stage of construction begins.

 

 

Industry investments over the years have created many smaller-scale, flexible and dynamic side industry investments that provide stability to the region. 

In order to fulfill their needs, small-scale businesses in the region got together in June 1999 to create the Small Industrial Area, composed of 200 industrial plots of 60 – 240 m2.

The opportunity to supply all kinds of work and equipment they may need at the investment stage or during production may be an additional advantage for our investors.

 

 

Educational activities have also improved in parallel with the industry in our region. Education services are provided to around 13 000 students (9 500 in primary and 4100 in secondary education) by 22 primary schools, 2 kindergartens, 11 secondary schools and apprenticeship training center, adult education centers, vocational training centers, counseling and research centers and teacher’s club.

Bozüyük Vocational School, founded as a part of Anadolu University in 1992-1993 and now a part of Bilecik University, meets the need for qualified employees for the industrial investments in the region in its Ceramics, Glass and Tile-Making, Banking and Assurance, Accounting and Tax Practices, Natural Building Stone Technologies, Foreign Trade, Marketing and Graphic Designs departments with a 20-strong academic staff of Assistant Professors, instructors and research fellows and 19 administrative personnel.

 

 

Our district boasts plentiful and easily-accessible water resources that can meet both local and industrial needs.

Residential areas created in the recent years with infrastructure that would allow expansion in case of need have solved the housing problem in the medium term.

 

 

 

Young and dynamic small and mid-scale business owners active in the region since the beginning of the 1990s have recognized the need to get organized economically.

The first step in this direction was the formation of the Bozüyük Association of Industrialists and Businesspeople in 1994, followed immediately by Bozüyük Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Representatives of these young and dynamic organizations are ready to provide all kinds of support to potential investments in the region.

 

 

All financials needs of the industrial businesses in the region is met by 11 branches of national banks such as T.C. Ziraat Bankası, İş Bankası, Halk Bankası, Akbank, Şekerbank, Yapıkredi bankası, Denizbank, HSBC, Finans bank, T.Garanti Bankası and Vakıf bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marmara earthquake on August 17, 1999 caused potential investors to look for lower-risk areas that are still close to major economic centers.

Our region, on naturally solid ground with a low earthquake risk, has an advantage in this respect.

 

 

Although our district has been focusing on industrial production, it has many unexplored opportunities for alternative service investment plans.

Forest land and highlands on the Bozüyük - Bursa highway, practically at the foot of Uludağ, with their breathtaking natural beauty, are waiting to be explored for potential investments in winter tourism, grass skiing and highland tourism.

Ministry of Tourism approved four-star modern hotels and comfortable rest areas mean that the hospitality needs of the district have been met in the medium term. Large shopping centers and way stations that provide services to main transit routes between Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Afyon and Antalya on the new Bozüyük belt highway contribute greatly to the development of our city's tourism potential.

New shopping centers, restaurants and way stations on the belt highway increase the attraction potential of the area.

These facilities also sell local food products like pumpkin dessert, lentil dumplings, molasses etc.

 

 

A certified species of pumpkin called Arıcan 97 is cultivated in the region. This is distinct from other pumpkin types in the country thanks to the earth, climate and production properties in our region, which gives the pumpkin a unique taste, low sugar content, and long shelf life.

Around 2000 tons of pumpkin is produced annually for the internal market and as an export product. The production capacity can be increased to 10 000 tons based on demand.

 

 

Beet molasses is an affordable, healthy way of getting energy and minerals as well as boosting the immune system during winter. Beet molasses from the sugar beets cultivated in the region is an additive-free, healthy product.

Farmers in our district will start implementing Good Farming Practices in the 2010 production season to ensure world-standard healthy and controlled production. 2010 will be the year of Good Farming Practices.

 

 

Desserts made from the sugar beet and pumpkin cultivated in the region, lentil dumplings, borek, molasses are some of the local specialties of our region.

 

 

The highlands of Kömürsu, Çiçekli, Sofular and the surrounding forest land provide opportunities for tracking, camping and winter activities for all seasons. Enjoy cold spring waters in highlands filled with the scent of thyme covered in colorful flowers, and end your day of walks in the fresh air through the pine, fir and sycamore trees with a delicious meal at a park or a trout farm. Parks in a wonderful nature filled with opportunities for tracking and camping...

 

Çiçekli

Bozca Armut Pond

 

 

It is situated on the Bozüyük - Eskişehir highway, 10 km after Bozüyük, 1 km after turning right at the "Metristepe War Cemetery" sign. There is a smaller war cemetery right before the main one. Here, there are 10 graves belonging to Bekir Şahinoğlu, commander of the 7^th  Company of the 2^nd  Battalion of the 174^th  Regiment of the 61^st  Division, Major Halis Bey, son of Karakullukçu of Erzincan and 8 unknown soldiers. A crescent and star symbol was carved on the tombstone of commander Halis Bey, with the following inscription.

"Here lies the commander of the 2^nd  Battalion of the 174^th  Regiment of 62^nd Division, Halis Bey, son of Karakullukçu of Erzincan. Martyred on Mart 29, 1921." If you continue on the steep, winding road toward Metristepe, you will come across the Metristepe war monument. The monument has the following inscription:

"Ankara, April 1, 1924 - Here you have not only conquered the enemy but also the ill fate of the nation. Mustafa Kemal, President of the Turkish Assembly". At the front of the monument, among the embossed war scenes is the following inscription taken from the telegram of Ismet Inönü to Atatürk after the victory: "To Mustafa Kemal Pasha, President of the Turkish Assembly/ Bozüyük is burning. The enemy has left the battlefield filled with thousands of their dead to our guns. Ismet, commander of the western front. 1.4.1921." On the back of the monument, there is a marble inscription listing all troops bigger than division and their commanders of the First and Second Battles of Inönü:

First Battle of Inönü, January 6-1 1921, Colonel İsmet İnönü, Commander of the Western Front, Captain Mehmet Sabri Erçetin of the 8^th Division (retired in 1932 as Major General) Year of Death: 1956)  Captain Mehmet Hulusi Conk of the 2^nd Division (retired in 1923 as colonel for health reasons. Death in 1950)

 Staff Colonel İzzettin Çalışlar (retired in 1939 as four star general) Year of Death: 1951), Captain Mehmet Nazım of the 4^th Division (martyred in Eskişehir Yumruçal on July 15, 1921) Kocaeli Corps Commander Colonel Halit Karsıalan (became Major General, Year of Death: 1925) 

Second Battle of Inönü, March 23- April 1 1922, Colonel İsmet İnönü, Commander of the Western Front Colonel Ibrahim Çolak of the 3^rd Cavalry Division (Retired in 1922 Year of Death: 1944) Staff Colonel İzzettin Çalışlar of the  61^st Infantry Division, Captain Mehmet Hulusi Conk of the 24^th Infantry Division, Staff Colonel Mehmet Arif of the 2^nd Infantry Division (martyred), Staff Captain Kemalettin Sami of the 1^st Infantry Division  (left the Army as Lieutenant General in 1924, died in 1934 as the Turkish ambassador to Berlin.) Staff Colonel Fahrettin Altay of the 12^th Army Corps (retired in 1945 as four-star General and member of the Supreme Military Council

Died in 1974) Staff Captain Nazım Solok of the 2^nd Cavalry Division (retired as Lieutenant General in 1939) Year of Death: 1956) Staff Captain Ahmet Derviş of the 1^st Cavalry Division (died as Lieutenant General in 1932) Staff Captain Şerif Yacağaz of the 41^st Infrantry Division (Became the Central Commander of Istanbul in 1923 but asked for retirement in the same year, Year of Death: 1938) Staff Colonel Mehmet Sabri Erçetin of the 8^th Infantry Division, Staff Captain Mehmet Nazım of the 4^th  Infantry Division, Staff Captain Mümtaz of the 57^th Infantry Division (Martyred), Staff Captain Ömer Halis Bıyıktay of the 23^rd Infantry Division (Died as Lieutenant General, the commander of Istanbul, on May 27, 1934) Staff Colonel Hüseyin Nurettin of the 7^th Infantry Division (martyred), Colonel Halit Karşıalan, Colonel Rıza (martyred) Looking down from the war cemetery, the battlefield can be seen. The construction of the Metristepe memorial monument started in 1923, in the 50^th anniversary of the Turkish Republic and the monument was inaugurated on June 29, 1975.

Kenthaber Culture Committee

Sources: http://www.kenthaber.com/marmara/bilecik/bozuyuk/Rehber/sehitlikler/metristepe-sehitlik-ve-aniti

 

 

Kasımpasha Mosque complex was known to have been made by Mimar Sinan's mentor Ali Agha between 1525 and 1528. It is a typical example of classical Ottoman architecture. The complex consists of the mosque, water fountains, public bathrooms, a soup kitchen, a cupola, a madrasah, a primary school, and an inn.  Only the mosque, the soup kitchen and the cupola have survived.

Kasımpasha is rich with many painted glazed tiles. These were made using traditional methods of the period and their distinct and unique designs are notable.