Seydiler is a district located west of Kastamonu, on the İnebolu-Kastamonu highway. Historical documents indicate that the district has a history dating back to at least the 17th century. The majority of the population lives in the district center. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the district's primary economic activities. The district also contains several natural and cultural sites.

^{Seydiler  (Kastamonu Seydiler District National Education Directorate)}

History

The oldest historical structure with definitive evidence that Seydiler was a Turkish settlement is the Seyyid-i Zülfikar Mosque in the central Çayır neighborhood. The construction of this mosque's minaret in 1112 CE (Gregorian calendar) dates Seydiler as a Turkish settlement to the 12th century. Furthermore, it is known that the region came under Hittite rule from around 1300 BC, and then, from 1309 AD, it fell under the rule of various powers, including Lydia, Phrygia, Persia, Rome, and Byzantium. Ultimately, the region existed within the Candaroğulları Principality immediately before Ottoman rule. Structures such as zawiyas and caravanserais indicate that this route was a vibrant commercial center during the Ottoman period.

Before the Republic, caravanserais, camel inns, and bathhouses were built in Seydiler, an important stop on the "Silk Road" caravan route on the İnebolu-Kastamonu highway, and around Çayır Neighborhood; the ruins of these structures still hold a place in the cultural memory of the local people, who rely largely on agriculture and animal husbandry for their livelihood.

During the Turkish War of Independence, the people of Seydiler, located on a strategic route for the transport of ammunition from İnebolu to Ankara, participated in logistical support with their male and female population; one of the most well-known symbols of this period, Martyr Şerife Bacı, froze to death in the winter of 1921 while trying to protect the bullets and children in her oxcart, and her memory was passed down to future generations through a relief and monument.

Administrative developments following the Republic resulted in Seydiler, which had been administered as a sub-district first under İnebolu, then Küre in 1926, and Devrekâni in 1944, gaining municipal organization in 1967 and being declared a district in 1990. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's visit to the district on August 25, 1925, to drink ayran has become a continuing event commemorated with ceremonies today.

Geography and Climate

Seydiler is located northwest of Kastamonu city center, at an elevation of 1,100 meters, and shares borders with Devrekâni to the east, Daday to the southwest, Ağlı to the northwest, Küre to the north, and the central district to the south. The district center and some villages are surrounded by plains, while the rest are primarily forested. Of the total area of 24,100 hectares, 5,300 hectares are forested, 12,100 hectares are arable, 3,750 hectares are pastures and meadows, and 2,950 hectares are used for non-agricultural land.

Hydrographically, the Devrekâni, Mancılık, and Takazlar streams are the main rivers. The Devrekâni stream originates in Başakpınar village and flows east to west through the district, flowing towards Cide. These streams increase in flow in the spring and partially dry out in the summer, shaping agricultural irrigation conditions.

The flora is dominated by black pine, fir, oak, poplar, and willow, while shrubs are common in the understory. Climate-wise, the region lies in the transition zone between the continental and Black Sea climate types. Summer temperatures vary widely between +5 and +33 °C, while winter temperatures range from -27 to -6 °C. Annually, there are an average of 60 days of snowfall, 110 days of frost, and 150 days of frost. In recent years, the Beyler Dam near Kepez has moderated the day-night temperature difference somewhat.

Population and Demography

The total population of Seydiler district was 4,274 in 2007 and reached 4,627 in 2024. During this period, increases of 133, 203, and 430 people were recorded in 2012–2013, 2017–2018, and 2022–2023, respectively, while decreases were recorded at varying rates in the other years. According to 2024 data, there are 2,339 males (50.55%) and 2,288 females (49.45%) in the district, and the gender gap generally remains at a few dozen people. Annual population changes have followed a fluctuating course, which can be explained by various dynamics such as local population registry updates and internal migration movements.

Economy

Seydiler's economy is fueled by livestock farming, industry, and cooperatives, with a focus on the agricultural sector. More than half of the district's land is arable; approximately 2,000 hectares of this area can be irrigated, and the Beyler Dam and irrigation canals allow for rapidly expanding agricultural production. Grain (barley, wheat, etc.) is cultivated on 8,500 hectares, sugar beets on 300 hectares, legumes and vegetables on 15 hectares, and the remainder is devoted to forage crops. Greenhouse farming initiatives and the widespread use of modern agricultural equipment indicate the potential for increased yields.

Livestock farming, with approximately 9,900 head of cattle (mostly cultivated breeds and crossbreeds), is the primary source of income for the local population. Cattle breeding for fattening allows for the marketing of approximately 3,000 animals annually. Poultry farming is experiencing significant development, with chickens and turkeys, and beekeeping continues with 1,100 colonies. While the number of small cattle ranges between 900 and 1,000, the number of horses, mules, and donkeys has decreased significantly due to technological agricultural equipment.

In industry, with the arrival of electricity in the district in the 1970s, electric flour mills replaced water mills. Today, there are two flour mills; nine blacksmiths; six carpentry shops; auto repair, electrical, paint, and bodywork workshops; marble processing facilities; and a dairy processing facility (with a capacity of 60 tons per day). The Agricultural Credit Cooperative (705 members) and the Sugar Beet Producers Sales Cooperative contribute to rural development by providing agricultural input and machinery supply, marketing, and cash and in-kind support services.

Tourism-Culture-Cuisine

Seydiler's tourism potential stems from the intersection of historical monuments, natural areas, and traditional lifestyles on three axes. The Seyyid-i Zülfikar Mosque, dating back to 1112, and the surrounding ruins of caravanserais, inns, and bathhouses reflect traces of Ottoman-era trade. The annual commemoration ceremonies held in the district with the Martyr Şerife Bacı Monument, events commemorating Atatürk's ayran visit on August 25, 1925, and the ruins of zawiyas and madrasahs are among the riches of cultural tourism.

Within the scope of nature tourism, forested plateaus (Yayla, Demirciözü, Ayvatlar, etc.), the banks of the Devrekâni, Mancılık, and Takazlar streams, and the Beyler Dam area offer recreational opportunities. Within the framework of rural tourism, observations of traditional village life and plateau accommodations are among the alternative tourist activities.

Many traditions, from marriage to funeral ceremonies, are preserved in cultural life. Rituals such as arranged marriages, seeing the girl, making promises, drinking sherbet, kissing hands, sending dowries, village weddings, and henna nights continue to be practiced.

The local cuisine is notable for its unique flour- and meat-based dishes. Dishes such as etli ekmek, banduma (ıslama), tarhana soup, sızlama, ekşili pilav, and tirit are served both daily and at ceremonial tables. These dishes are prepared with practical recipes based on the use of local agricultural and livestock products and reflect the district's cultural identity through the harmony of sweet and sour, bread and meat.