About Göynük History

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Goynuk’s history is intertwined with Roman, Byzantine and Anatolian history.

It is expressed in the historical books of the Roman Military Highway known as “Dadastan” and now known as “GOYNUK”.

The oldest known name of Goynuk is Koinon Gallicanon. Here, in the towns of Susuz, Kilciler, Narzanlar and Boyacilar, and in the vicinity of these villages, there are writings belonging to the Byzantine period. There is also some residues around church in Kilciler Village.

Ottoman Period

When the Anatolian Seljuk State was demolished, the center of Umurbey Khan, which is among the established principals, became GOYNUK. As a result of the conflicts with the Byzantines, the Ottomans conquered GOYNUK from the hands of the Umurbey Khan state.

Gazi Suleyman Pasha, the son of Orhan Gazinin, settled in Goynuk and built a magnificent mosque and a Turkish bath, which is called here by his own name. This magnificent mosque and hamam, which is the architectural work of the founding period of the Ottoman Empire, is still being used.

Yildirim Beyazit, who agreed with the Byzantine Emperor Yuannis after Istanbul was besieged for the second time, placed some people from nearby Goynuk in Istanbul for the Islamic Quarter established here. However, when the deal was broken, the Goynuklus left Istanbul and founded GOYNUK Village in Tekirdag.

Aksemseddin and the Conquest

In 1453, in the conquest of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan’s teacher was AKSEMSEDDIN, and he also realized that he was a great contributor to the Conquest. AKSEMSEDDIN found the tomb of Eyup Sultan and at the same time discovered the microbe vaccine centuries before Pasteur.

Aksemseddin retired after the conquest of Istanbul, settled in Goynuk, lived here for 15 years and died in Goynuk. This person’s grave is at GOYNUK. Meanwhile, the grave of Hazrat Debbag Dede and Omer Sikkini, who are important figures, is located in GOYNUK.

Republican Period

When the administrative organization was reestablished in the Republican Period, Bolu became the city and Goynuk, Duzce, Gerede and Mudurnu were the first provinces of Bolu. Currently GOYNUK is a Province affiliated to Bolu.

In 1923, the first district governor of the county was Hursit Bey, and during this period he built the Tower of Victory on the top of the county in memory of the Victory of Liberation. Presently this tower is preserved as a monumental structure. On the last week of May every year, there are activities on the day of commemoration of Hazrat Aksemseddin in the district.

Goynuk is One of the Most Important Ottoman Towns

It is decorated with historical values such as houses, workplaces, baths, tombs, and historic plane trees which are about 700 years old and they are still functioning. The preserved Ottoman architecture makes Goynuk a living museum of early Turkish settlement patterns.

Visitors can explore narrow streets lined with traditional wooden houses featuring distinctive bay windows. Local craftsmen continue traditional trades in historic workshops. The town atmosphere transports visitors back several centuries.

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