Birgi
38°15′00″N 28°03′32″E / 38.250°N 28.059°E
Birgi | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Turkey |
| Region | Aegean Region |
| Province | İzmir Province |
| District | Ödemiş District |
| Elevation | 326 m (1,070 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Birgi is a small town located in the Ödemiş district of İzmir province in Turkey. Its current name is a distortion of its ancient Greek name: Pyrgion (Greek: Πυργιον).
The town rose to prominence when it was made the capital of the Aydınoğlu beylik in 1308, and subsequently incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1390. Birgi is well known for its classic Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Notable Historic Structures
- Çakırağa Mansion — built in 19th century Ottoman style by the wealthy Çakırağa family.
- Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque — commissioned in 1313 by Mehmet Bey, the founder of the Aydınoğlu beylik.
- Tomb of Birgivi Mehmet Efendi — built in 1335 in the courtyard of the Aydınoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque.
- Sultanşah Mausoleum
- Fortress Madrasa, where Sultan Mehmet II "The Conqueror" (March 30, 1432 – May 3, 1481) was educated.
