Yenipazar, a cittaslow 40 km from Aydın province in Aegean region
YENIPAZAR is a small town 40 km from Aydın province in the Aegean region. It is located in the middle part of BUYUK MENDERES basin with a surface area of 180 km2, at the foot of MADRAN BABA Mountain, which is covered with forests to the north.
Its history dates back to 2000 B.C. as its first settlement location is said to be in the vicinity of ancient city ORTHOSIA. At the end of the 17th century a new settlement was established at the present location of YENIPAZAR. This newly established settlement became a small-scale MARKET (PAZAR in Turkish) and trading place, opened one day a week. This market became a small and new market place for the people living in the surrounding villages and towns where they could sell their products. Therefore, the name of the district remained as YENI PAZAR, meaning new market.
According to Strabon, one of the authors of antique period Orthosia is one of the settlements of Caria. The history of the Carians, known to be among indigenous peoples of Anatolia goes back to 2000 B.C. Orthosia is one of the names used for Artemis in the Hellenic language, meaning “honest, true”.
The first research on the ancient settlement of Orthosia was conducted by French scientists in 1999 in the form of a surface survey. Floor mosaics were found during the excavations. Some of the mosaics removed are exhibited in the Aydin Archaeological Museum. Today, the theatre and the Byzantine structure are standing. Also, there are well preserved sarcophagi and chamber tombs on the necropolis.
LOWER BOTTOM LAKE NATURAL PARK (AŞAĞI DİP GÖLÜ TABİAT PARKI)
This is a spring lake formed by the change of beds of the Büyük Menderes River. Construction of the navigational terrace, fishing platforms, Bird-watching Tower and walking paths has been completed on the east side. One can have somethings to eat with family in the silence of nature, or fish and watch water chickens, ducks, grey and white herons from the birdwatching tower.
TRADITIONAL CAMEL WRESTLING
As a cultural heritage of western Anatolia, camel wrestling which has a traditional form of entertainment and festivity, has been held in the town on the first Sunday of February for the last 27 years.
These shows, which were previously held for entertainment purposes, were later held annually and served to revive local economies and it has turned into a fair where spectators have winter picnics outdoors. Not to forget that serious measures are taken to prevent injury and attrition of the wrestling camels.
TRADITIONAL YÖRÜK FESTIVAL (GELENEKSEL YÖRÜK ŞENLİĞİ)
The traditional KARACAKAL YORUK Culture and Promotion Festival is held every year on the first Sunday of May, in the KOSELER festival area of Karachakal village in the district. A growing number of the guests are served local food and ayran (yayık ayranı) every year in the hair tents set up as a representation of the festival, where various plays are staged and the sound artists give concerts. Also, in order not to forget the Yörük culture, conversations are held and exhibitions are opened.
PINE PICNIC AREA AND WINDMILL (ÇAMLIK PİKNİK ALANI VE YEL DEĞİRMENİ)
This is an area where a panorama of the residential area and plain of the district can be viewed. It is arranged in the form of terraces as a picnic area. There is a windmill which gives its name to the place where it is located. It is supposed to have had its golden age during the drought of the 1870s. It is told that the occupying Greek forces on the opposite side of the Büyük Menderes River were uncomfortable and afraid to enter this district, assuming the windmill as a defensive tower. Çamlık picnic area, where the windmill is located, is reached by a ladder from the town square.
