Culture and History
Yalova’s history traces back to the Prehistoric eras and discoveries have been made that belong to 3000 B.C. The Kimmer took over the place during 700 B.C. and there are indications of the Bithynian authority in the years later. Bithynia was appended to Rome in 74 B.C. as an endowment. There are also impacts of the Byzantine sovereignty in the area that shortly got merged with the Ottoman period.
Yalova got converted a province in 1995 and before this time it was just a district of Istanbul.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk sometimes used to live in Yalova during his last years. He notably said in one of his speeches: "Yalova is my city."
Yalova is nestled in the arms of nature and besides its pristine nature that is the pivotal attraction for the tourists this city has a few historical references as well which the history-lovers enjoy to explore.
Yuruyen Kosk – The Walking Mansion of Yalova:
The Kosk has an Ottoman-Turkish design and Ataturk, the forefather of the present Turkey, used this mansion during his stay in the city. Stunning, peculiar, intriguing, desolate, baffling, serene, all of these and many more synonymous words truly describe Yuruyen Kosk.
This mansion has a fable associated to it. It is frequently signified as the 'walking house' because, as the tale goes, Ataturk thought the mansion was very near to a beautiful sycamore tree, so he asked the house to walk. The mansion did exactly as ordered and displaced 3 km down the waterside, towards its existing reposing place.
For an intuition of the mind of a sincerely noble man, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the story of the sycamore tree and how this house actually did walk, and the modern items inside, all mark this as a must-see place if you visit Yalova or the neighboring region.
Thermal Ataturk Pavilion:
In early 19th century the Thermal was constructed in 38 days only. It is a two-storey wooden structure having three reception lounges and eleven other rooms. The pavilion is still conserved with its authentic furniture and it serves as a museum to the visitors. The pavilion features artwork of a Russian artist Ayvazovsky, Hereke and Iranian carpets, French lacquered chairs, a brass bedroom, a German piano and deerskin radio. Except Thursdays it stays open to showcase the legendary artifacts.
