1 Night 1 Day Ertuğrul Ghazi Söğüt Tour from Istanbul

Step Into the World of Ertuğrul Gazi

There are places in Türkiye where history is not simply displayed behind glass — it seems to remain alive in the landscape, streets, mosques and monuments. Söğüt, in Bilecik Province, is one of those places. This carefully designed 1 Night & 1 Day Ertuğrul Ghazi Söğüt Tour takes you away from the busy atmosphere of Istanbul and into the historic heartland associated with Ertuğrul Gazi, Osman Gazi and the early Ottoman period.

Travel with The History Travel Agency through the beautiful landscapes of northwestern Anatolia to Söğüt, where you can visit the Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb, the Söğüt Ertuğrul Gazi Museum, the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, Hamidiye Mosque and other important historical monuments. Söğüt is officially recognized by Bilecik's cultural authorities as an important center associated with the early Ottoman period, closely connected with the Kayı tradition and the annual Ertuğrul Gazi commemoration celebrations.

This is more than a sightseeing excursion — it is an opportunity to walk through landscapes associated with the early Ottoman frontier, discover the cultural heritage of Söğüt and Bilecik, learn about Ertuğrul Gazi's historical legacy, and experience a quieter, more authentic side of Türkiye away from the major tourist routes.

Tour Highlights

Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb — the spiritual heart of Söğüt

Söğüt Ertuğrul Gazi Museum — Yörük & Ottoman heritage

Hamidiye Mosque — the Double-Minaret Mosque

Çelebi Mehmet Mosque — early Ottoman domed architecture

Photo Gallery

Söğüt, Bilecik

Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb

Söğüt Museum

Hamidiye Mosque

Çelebi Mehmet Mosque

+2More Photos

This suggested itinerary can be adapted to your preferred departure time, pace and interests. Historical sites and museums may have changing opening arrangements, so your guide will adjust the sequence where necessary while keeping every highlight in the program.

1

Istanbul → Söğüt → Ertuğrul Gazi Heritage Experience

Private hotel pickup · Scenic drive to Bilecik · Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb, Museum & mosques · Dinner & overnight

Morning / Early Afternoon — Departure from Istanbul

Your private vehicle collects you from your Istanbul hotel at the agreed departure time. Leaving Istanbul behind, the journey takes you toward Bilecik Province and historic Söğüt. The road gradually changes from the urban environment of Istanbul into the greener landscapes of northwestern Anatolia — within a few hours, the atmosphere changes dramatically. Rather than simply traveling from one city to another, you are entering a region deeply connected with the early history of the Ottoman world. The Istanbul–Söğüt road journey is roughly 226 km, although actual travel time depends on the exact Istanbul pickup point, traffic, road conditions and stops.

Arrival in Söğüt

Upon arrival, your guide introduces you to the town and its historical importance. Söğüt occupies a special place in Turkish historical memory because of its association with Ertuğrul Gazi and the early Ottoman frontier. Take a leisurely walk through the historic center and absorb the atmosphere of this Anatolian town — the perfect moment to slow down and appreciate the difference between modern Istanbul and the quieter landscapes of Söğüt.

Stop 1 · Approx. 45–60 min

Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb

The spiritual and historical heart of the journey — the hexagonal, domed monument associated with the father of Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. Allow time for quiet reflection, photography, and your guide's account of its history.

Stop 2 · Approx. 30 min

Ertuğrul Gazi Mescidi — Kuyulu Mescit

Standing beside Söğüt Stream, this mosque is traditionally associated with the site of Ertuğrul Gazi's first camp. Its well gives the building its popular name, "Kuyulu Mescit" — the Mosque with the Well.

Stop 3 · Approx. 45 min

Söğüt Ertuğrul Gazi Museum

A restored early-20th-century house displaying Yörük textiles, weapons, carpets and coins spanning the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods — the human, everyday side of Anatolia's past.

Stop 4 · Approx. 30 min

Hamidiye Mosque

Built 1903–1905 under Sultan Abdülhamid II, this late-Ottoman Neo-Classical mosque is known locally as "Çifte Minareli Camii" for its twin minarets and red-cut-stone walls.

Stop 5 · Approx. 30 min

Çelebi Mehmet Mosque

Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi between 1414 and 1420, this early Ottoman domed mosque originally featured 12 domes and was later restored under Sultan Abdülhamid II.

Evening — Traditional Turkish Dinner & Overnight

After the day's historical discoveries, enjoy dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant, sampling regional Turkish dishes and seasonal specialties. After dinner, check in to your hotel and enjoy a peaceful evening. Compared with Istanbul's vibrant nightlife, the atmosphere of Söğüt and the surrounding Bilecik countryside offers a completely different experience — quiet, authentic and deeply connected with Anatolian life. Overnight in Söğüt / Bilecik area; exact hotel category and location are confirmed according to your selected package.

2

Söğüt → Dursun Fakıh Tomb → Return to Istanbul

Hotel breakfast · Optional Dursun Fakıh Tomb visit · Scenic return drive · Evening arrival Istanbul

Morning — Breakfast & Söğüt at Rest

Wake up to the calm atmosphere of northwestern Anatolia and enjoy breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, continue your historical exploration before beginning the return journey to Istanbul.

Optional Stop · Approx. 20–30 min

Dursun Fakıh Tomb

If timing and road conditions permit, we recommend a visit to the tomb of Dursun Fakıh, a scholar and student and son-in-law of Sheikh Edebali who, according to the Bilecik Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, led the first Friday prayer in Osman Gazi's name after the conquest of Karacahisar in 1299. His tomb sits on a hill near Küre, on the Söğüt–Bilecik road.

Return Journey to Istanbul

After completing the historical program, depart for Istanbul in your private vehicle. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel back toward the Bosphorus and modern Istanbul. Depending on your selected departure time and traffic, arrival in Istanbul is typically scheduled for the evening — marking the end of your 1 Night & 1 Day Ertuğrul Ghazi Söğüt Tour.

The Historical Sites of Söğüt

Every stop on this tour carries centuries of Ottoman history. Here is what makes each destination worth the journey.

Must-See

Söğüt Town Center

Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb

The first major highlight of the journey and one of the most meaningful monuments associated with Söğüt. Ertuğrul Gazi is traditionally remembered as the father of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty. The official Bilecik tourism authority explains that the tomb dates in origin to the late 13th century: it was initially established by Osman Gazi as an open grave and was later converted into a proper tomb by Sultan Mehmed I. The monument subsequently underwent major restorations, including work carried out during the reigns of Sultan Mustafa III and Sultan Abdülhamid II. The present structure has a distinctive hexagonal plan and domed roof, giving the monument an elegant and dignified appearance. Standing here, visitors can appreciate why Söğüt remains such an important destination for travelers interested in Ottoman history, Turkish heritage and the story of Ertuğrul Gazi.

EraLate 13th century, rebuilt & restored through the 18th–19th centuries

StyleHexagonal plan, domed roof

Best ForPhotography, quiet reflection

Suggested Time45–60 minutes

Cultural

Kayhan Mahallesi, Söğüt

Söğüt Ertuğrul Gazi Museum

An especially rewarding stop for travelers who want to understand the culture surrounding the region rather than simply photograph monuments. The museum occupies a historic building originally constructed in the early 20th century, believed to have served as a "sargı evi" (winding house) before later uses. It was restored in the style of a traditional Turkish house and opened as a museum in 2001. Inside, visitors discover ethnographic objects associated with Söğüt, surrounding communities and Yörük culture, including traditional clothing, textiles, carpets, kilims, weapons, scales and purses. The collection also contains archaeological material and coins representing different historical periods, including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman examples — the clothing, tools, crafts and objects of everyday life that help bring Anatolia's past closer to the modern traveler.

TypeEthnographic & archaeological museum

Opened2001, in a restored early-1900s house

Collection1,000+ Yörük & Ottoman ethnographic items

Suggested Time40–45 minutes

Historic Mosque

Beside Söğüt Stream

Ertuğrul Gazi Mescidi — Kuyulu Mescit

According to Bilecik's official tourism information, this mosque stands beside Söğüt Stream and is traditionally associated with the location where Ertuğrul Gazi and his community are said to have established their first camp in the area. The structure contains a well, which explains the popular name "Kuyulu Mescit," meaning roughly "Mosque with the Well." The current building was reconstructed during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1902, on the earlier foundations — making the site particularly interesting because it combines historical tradition, religious heritage and Ottoman architectural memory in a single small, unassuming structure.

Rebuilt1902, under Sultan Abdülhamid II

SettingBeside Söğüt Stream

SignificanceLinked to Ertuğrul Gazi's first camp

Suggested Time20–30 minutes

Architecture

Söğüt Town Center

Hamidiye Mosque — Çifte Minareli Camii

One of Söğüt's most distinctive late-Ottoman architectural landmarks. Built between 1903 and 1905 during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II, the mosque is an example of late Ottoman Neo-Classical architecture. Its red-cut-stone walls, single lead-covered dome and twin minarets give it a striking presence — the twin minarets are the reason it is also popularly known as "Çifte Minareli Camii," the Double-Minaret Mosque. The mosque offers an interesting architectural contrast with the earlier historical narrative surrounding Ertuğrul Gazi: together with the older monuments of Söğüt, it shows how the town's heritage developed across centuries, from the formative years of the Ottoman frontier to the final decades of the Ottoman Empire.

Built1903–1905, under Sultan Abdülhamid II

StyleLate Ottoman Neo-Classical

FeatureTwin minarets, red-cut-stone walls

Suggested Time20–30 minutes

Early Ottoman

Söğüt Town Center

Çelebi Mehmet Mosque

Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi between 1414 and 1420, this mosque is considered an important example of early Ottoman domed architecture. The official tourism authority notes that the mosque originally featured 12 domes and later underwent restoration during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. For travelers interested in Ottoman architecture, this monument provides a fascinating opportunity to observe the evolution of Ottoman religious architecture in the decades immediately after the empire's earliest foundation period — a direct architectural link between Ertuğrul Gazi's frontier settlement and the imperial mosque tradition that would later flourish in Bursa, Edirne and Istanbul.

Built1414–1420, by Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi

Original Design12 domes

RestoredUnder Sultan Abdülhamid II

Suggested Time20–30 minutes

Day 2 · Optional

Küre, near Söğüt–Bilecik road

Dursun Fakıh Tomb

Dursun Fakıh was an important religious scholar associated with the early Ottoman period, a student and son-in-law of Sheikh Edebali. According to the Bilecik Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, following the conquest of Karacahisar in 1299, Dursun Fakıh delivered the Friday sermon and led Friday prayer in Osman Gazi's name — he is consequently remembered in the historical tradition as an early Ottoman imam-hatip and judge. His tomb sits on a prominent hill in Küre, near the Söğüt–Bilecik road. This visit adds another layer to the journey by introducing the religious and intellectual figures surrounding the early Ottoman period, rather than focusing solely on military and political history.

FigureScholar, son-in-law of Sheikh Edebali

LegacyLed first Friday prayer for Osman Gazi, 1299

SettingHilltop near Küre village

Suggested Time20–30 minutes

Tour Services Included & Excluded

Transparent, all-in private touring — know exactly what's covered before you book.

Museum and site entrance fees in Söğüt are modest; your guide will confirm current admission costs and any free-entry days before your visit.

Hotel & Travel Suggestions

Best Time to Visit

What to Bring

Reserve Your Ertuğrul Ghazi Söğüt Tour

Because accommodation category, vehicle type, number of travelers and pickup location all affect the final cost, we price this tour per group rather than publishing one fixed rate. Based on comparable 1-night private historical tours from Istanbul — covering private transport, a licensed guide, one night's hotel with breakfast and full-day guiding across two provinces — the realistic private-tour market range runs from approximately €180–€260 per person for 1–2 travelers, decreasing per person as group size grows. Group-tour departures typically run lower, from around €95–€140 per person. Contact us for today's confirmed rate and availability.

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