Gölyazı Village and Crying Plane Tree: Guide to the Fairytale Island of Lake Apolyont

The History of Gölyazı from Ancient Apollonia to the Present

Gölyazı Village, located on the shores of Uluabat (ancient Apolyont) Lake in the Nilüfer district of Bursa, BC. It has a deep-rooted history dating back to the 6th century. The settlement, whose ancient name was Apollonia ad Rhyndacum, was an island kingdom dedicated to Apollo, the god of light and art. The island, known for its rich fishing and sericulture during the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, is a historical port where Turks and Greeks lived together brotherly until the Turkish-Greek Population Exchange in the first years of the Republic.

Gölyazı is known as 'Little Venice' due to the lake waters reaching the doors of the houses in the spring months when the water level rises. Uluabat Lake, which is under international protection with the Ramsar Convention, is one of the most critical accommodation stations for its rich freshwater fish population and migratory birds.

Must-See Places and Legends

1. The 750-Year-Old Legend of the Weeping Plane Tree and Sad Love

The monumental plane tree, rising right at the beginning of the bridge connecting the village to the land, is the symbol of Gölyazı with its age of over 750 years and its huge trunk. Behind the tree, which is called "Weeping Plane Tree" because of the reddish sap leaking from its trunk, lies a sad legend dating back to the years of population exchange: Turkish young man Mehmet and Greek girl Eleni, living in the village, fell in love with each other. When the Greeks had to leave the village due to the population exchange, Mehmet, who did not want to leave, died under the plane tree; Hearing this, Eleni commits suicide in front of her loved one in tears. Rumor has it that the big plane tree has been shedding bloody tears for this impossible love ever since.

2. Uluabat Lake Boat Tours and Lotus Flowers

A must in Gölyazı is to sail around the lake in traditional wooden boats used by village women and fishermen. Paddling among the pure white Lotus Flowers (Lotus fields) blooming in the calm bays of the lake, especially in spring and early summer, offers fairytale-like scenes.

3. Stork Village and Bird Watching

Gölyazı is one of the representatives of the European Stork Villages Network in Türkiye. Every spring, hundreds of storks build nests in the chimneys of village houses, electric poles and ancient plane trees and raise their young here.

4. St. Panteleimon Church (Gölyazı Culture House)

19. The historical Greek Orthodox church, dating back to the 19th century, was restored by Nilüfer Municipality and opened to tourism as a cultural center and exhibition hall.

Where and How to Get to Gölyazı?

Gölyazı is located approximately 40 km west of the center of Bursa, within the borders of Nilüfer district and on the Bursa-İzmir highway.

• By bus: Municipal bus number 5/G departs from Bursaray Küçük Sanayi metro station and runs directly to Gölyazı square.
• By Private Vehicle: You can go towards Karacabey on the Bursa-İzmir highway and after about 30 km, turn left at the Gölyazı turn and go down to the lake shore.
• Parking: Vehicle access to the narrow island streets of the village is limited. You can leave your car in the large parking lots at the entrance of the island and explore the island on foot or by crossing the bridge.

What to Eat in Gölyazı? Editor's Recommendations

• Crawfish and Lake Fish Feast: Taste freshly caught pike from Uluabat Lake, grilled catfish or fried crayfish known as freshwater lobster at fishmongers on the lakeshore.
• Pancake and Village Breakfast: Taste the herb and cheese pancakes cooked by the village women over the wood fire at the tables overlooking the lake under Ağlayan Çınar.
• Sunset Hill (Zambak Hill): In the evening, go up to Zambak Hill just behind the village and photograph the sun setting over Uluabat Lake and the island turning red.