Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of modern life, the endless notification sounds, and the city noise? Do you sometimes dream of leaving everything behind and escaping to a place where time flows more slowly, a place where every corner smells of history? If you answered 'yes' to this dream, we have a wonderful suggestion for you: Sakarya's hidden paradise, Taraklı. So, what are the Things to Do in the Historic Streets of Taraklı, this veritable time tunnel? Come, let us take you away from the city's clamor to a capital of centuries-old mansions, healing flavors, and tranquility. This isn't just a district; it's an experience that will soothe your soul.

Walk Among the Ottoman Houses of the Slow City (Cittaslow)

The first thing you'll feel when you step into Taraklı is an indescribable serenity in the air. This feeling has a name: Cittaslow. This movement, which began in Italy in 1999, literally means Slow City. But Taraklı didn't just recently earn this title; it has always been this way. The title is merely an official recognition of a lifestyle that has valued handicrafts, local production, and human relationships for centuries. You'll understand why Taraklı fully deserves this title the moment you start walking on its narrow, cobblestone streets.   

These streets lead you directly to the most elegant examples of Ottoman civil architecture. The registered Taraklı Houses, numbering over 100, are not just buildings but living monuments of history. These mansions, usually two or three stories high, have every detail serving a purpose. The ground floors were used as cellars or storage, while the upper floors were designed as the family's living space. The cumbas, or bay windows, projecting from the windows not only make the rooms feel more spacious but also offer a view of the street from three different angles. The wooden lattices on the windows, called muşabak, are a clever detail designed for the women of the house to watch the street while preserving their privacy. If you want to see these beauties firsthand, you can check out the Sakarya Tour Guide.

During your walk, you will encounter two monumental structures. One is the Yunus Pasha Mosque, built in 1517 by Mimar Sinan for one of Yavuz Sultan Selim's viziers, Yunus Pasha. The secret to its standing tall despite numerous earthquakes over hundreds of years lies in the construction method: molten lead was poured between the stone blocks instead of mortar. The mosque also proves to be an engineering marvel far ahead of its time with its central heating system, heated from below by steam from the adjacent bathhouse. The other is the massive 7-century-old plane tree in the Yusufbey neighborhood. This tree, one of the most magnificent examples of the plane trees the Ottomans planted as a seal on the lands they conquered, is a living witness to Taraklı's deep-rooted past.   

Enjoy a Fatigue Coffee in the Courtyard of a 300-Year-Old Historic Inn

After a pleasant but tiring stroll through the historic streets of Taraklı, the best place to take a break is undoubtedly the Historic Inn. Also known as Hacı Atıf Han, this building was once a vital stop on the historic Silk and Baghdad Roads, where caravans and travelers rested. Even the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi mentioned in his Seyahatnâme that there were five inns in Taraklı, highlighting the district's commercial importance at the time.   

The moment you enter the courtyard of this two-story, U-planned inn built with rubble stones, you disconnect from the outside world and step into the tranquility of history. The lower floor was formerly a stable for animals, while the upper floor consisted of rooms for travelers. Today, its courtyard hosts a charming café offering you a peaceful rest. Order a fatigue coffee for yourself in the shade of the upper-floor porticoes with wooden railings, among the cool stone walls. As you sip your coffee, close your eyes and imagine who has passed through this courtyard over the centuries. This is the essence of the Slow City philosophy: not rushing to the next stop, but savoring the moment and listening to the whispers of history.   

Purchase Local Handicrafts and Delicacies (like Uğut Dessert)

The best way to take the spirit of Taraklı home with you is to give a chance to its namesake handicrafts and mouth-watering local delicacies. This place is, in the truest sense, a land of living artisans.

The art of tarak (comb) and spoon carving, which gives the district its name, is born from boxwood. When you enter the shops in the historic bazaar, you will smell the scent of wood being shaped by the hands of masters. The making of a boxwood spoon is a ritual that requires patience and skill. First, a special tool called a keser is used to give the wood its rough shape, or taslak (draft). Then, the inner part of the spoon is carved with a curved knife called an eğdi, and finally, it is smoothed with kazıma bıçakları (scraping knives). Some spoons are decorated with floral motifs and finished with linseed oil. A handmade spoon you buy from here will not be just a kitchen utensil, but a piece of a centuries-old tradition.   

There is another delicacy you must taste before leaving Taraklı and buy as a gift for your loved ones: Uğut Dessert. The most surprising feature of this dessert, also known as wheatgrass marmalade, is that it contains not a single gram of added sugar. That intense, molasses-like sweet flavor comes entirely from the essence of sprouted heirloom wheat. Its preparation is a slow food manifesto in itself. The sprouting of the wheat takes 10-12 days, and cooking it in cauldrons while constantly stirring takes 15 to 24 hours. This laborious process even turns into a festival where villagers work together in a communal fashion (imece), singing folk songs. When you taste this special dessert, which has a Geographical Indication Certificate, you are not just tasting a flavor, but the communal and patient spirit of Taraklı. Just like this unique delicacy of Taraklı, the natural beauties around it, such as (Tahirli Şelalesi), will also nourish your soul.

While You're Here...

If you want to extend your trip after exploring Taraklı, there are wonderful alternatives waiting for you nearby.

Göynük: Very close to Taraklı, this district in Bolu is a preserved Ottoman town just like Taraklı. You can visit the tomb of Akşemseddin, the teacher of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and the Victory Tower, which overlooks the town.   

Mudurnu and Sülüklü Lake: After touring the historical texture of Mudurnu, also within the borders of Bolu, if you want to escape to the heart of nature, Sülüklü Lake awaits you. This lake, formed by a landslide, is a paradise for camping and nature walks.   

Karagöl Plateau: This plateau, attached to Taraklı, promises a peaceful day full of oxygen with its vast 567-hectare area. Its cold waters, believed to be healing, are a great option for a picnic or camping among pine and beech trees.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How to get to Taraklı? If you are traveling from Istanbul by private car, you can reach Taraklı in about 2-2.5 hours by taking the TEM highway and exiting at the Bilecik/Eskişehir junction. If you are coming by bus, you can use the direct Göynük buses departing from Harem, Istanbul, or take the more frequent Sakarya (Adapazarı) buses and transfer to Taraklı minibuses from the Adapazarı district terminal.   

2. What are the accommodation options in Taraklı? The most authentic way to stay in Taraklı is in the historical mansions that have been restored to their original state. Establishments like Kadirler Konağı, Çakırlar Konağı, Hacı Rıfatlar Konağı, and Hanımeli Konağı offer you this unique experience. For those looking for more modern accommodation, there are also hotel options like Taraklı Termal. 3. What is the best time to visit Taraklı? Since you will be exploring Taraklı on foot, the spring and autumn months, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, are the most ideal times. The colors of nature are especially beautiful during these seasons. However, as the region can receive heavy rainfall, it is advisable to check the weather forecast before you come.   

Source: To learn more about this international network of which Taraklı is a part, you can visit the official website of Cittaslow International: https://www.cittaslow.org/.