Gölyazı

Gölyazı is a settlement located on a deep peninsula at the eastern end of Lake Uluabat, within the Nilüfer district of Bursa Province in Türkiye. The village is accessible via a 7-kilometre road branching off from the 35th kilometre of the Bursa–İzmir highway. It is situated on the northern shore of the lake, surrounded by islands. Gölyazı, built on one of the two peninsulas of Lake Uluabat, possesses a unique natural landscape shaped by the lake’s misty atmosphere and wetland surroundings, with water depths ranging between 2 and 4 metres.

History

The history of Gölyazı extends back to the 6th century BCE. In antiquity, the settlement was known as Apollonia ad Rhyndacum, meaning “Apollonia on the Rhyndacus.” This name distinguished it among the nine different cities named Apollonia in ancient Anatolia, referencing the Rhyndacus River—the modern Orhaneli/Kocaçay River—that fed Lake Apolyont (Uluabat).

During the Roman period, the town developed further and became a religious centre during the Byzantine era. It is known that coins with crayfish reliefs were minted in the region during the 1st century CE. Due to limited archaeological excavations, historical knowledge has largely been derived from the study of these coins. Numerous imperial Byzantine coins have also been discovered in Gölyazı.

During the Ottoman period, following the 1303 Dimboz victory, the region was opened to Turkish settlement by Osman Gazi. In the early 14th century, Gölyazı became a refuge for people fleeing from the surrounding areas of Prusa (Bursa) and Apamea (Mudanya), who could no longer withstand Ottoman raids.

Gölyazı (Nilüfer District Governorship, Republic of Türkiye)

Archaeological and Architectural Remains

Gölyazı and its surroundings feature a multi-layered settlement structure spanning from antiquity through the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Major remains include architectural traces of the Temple of Apollo on Kız Adası (Island of the Virgin), the ruins of an ancient theatre located on the peninsula, and remnants of surrounding defensive walls. Another example of the region’s ancient infrastructure is the structure locally known as “Deliktaş,” believed to have been an aqueduct, and the ancient fortress known as “Taş Kapı.”

Among the significant Byzantine-era structures are the Hagios Konstantinos Monastery Church on Manastır Adası and the Hagios Georgios Church, built in the 19th century by the Greek community. Additionally, the Agios Panteleimon Church, restored by Nilüfer Municipality and repurposed as a cultural centre, serves as a vital link between the urban heritage and contemporary life. Gölyazı also contains a mosque and a bathhouse, both dated to the Ottoman period, though their exact construction dates remain unknown. These structures are key elements reflecting Gölyazı’s rich archaeological and architectural heritage, all of which are officially registered as a protected site.

Social and Ethnic Structure

During the Ottoman period, Gölyazı was a settlement where Turkish and Greek communities lived together, with the Greek population forming the majority. In 1924, under the population exchange agreement, Turkish migrants from Thessaloniki and its surroundings were resettled in the area. This new community adapted to local agricultural and fishing activities. Today, Gölyazı functions as a neighbourhood preserving its former Greek village identity while housing the Turkish population that arrived after the exchange.

Gölyazı (Republic of Türkiye, Bursa Governorship)

Economy and Livelihood Sources

Traditionally, the people of Gölyazı have sustained themselves through agriculture, fishing, and more recently, tourism. Lake Uluabat is home to species such as carp, tench, and a small local fish known as “feki.” Although crayfish once symbolized the region, it no longer holds economic significance. Fish markets along the lake shore, fishing boats, and women engaged in net-making are integral parts of the local economy.

Gölyazı (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Natural Features and Symbolic Values

One of Gölyazı’s symbolic landmarks is the “Ağlayan Çınar” (Weeping Plane Tree), an monumental tree estimated to be around 750 years old. It is named for the reddish liquid that seeps from its trunk on certain days of the week. This tree stands at the entrance of the bridge connecting the peninsula to the mainland and is under special protection.

Ağlayan Çınar (Republic of Türkiye, Nilüfer Subgovernorship)

Transportation

Gölyazı, located 42 kilometres from the city centre of Bursa, is reached by turning south from the 35th kilometre of the Bursa–İzmir highway. A 7-kilometre road leads from this junction to the village. For travellers coming from İzmir, this point is approximately 25–30 kilometres beyond the first visible view of the lake.