Söğüt, Historical capital in Bilecik Province, Turkey
Söğüt is a town in Bilecik Province, northwestern Turkey, sitting in a valley framed by gentle hills. The buildings range from older stone structures to modern homes, while the center holds a marketplace with shops and tea houses.
The settlement became the starting point for a new ruling line under Osman in the late 13th century, whose family went on to establish what became the Ottoman Empire. After the seat of power moved to Bursa, the town remained as a symbolic place of memory.
The settlement takes its name from the Turkish word for willow, reflecting the rows of trees that line the streams. Residents regularly visit the tomb and memorial area in the center, where prayer spaces and well-kept gardens invite reflection.
Minibuses run several times daily from larger cities in the region and bring travelers to the central bus station within a few minutes' walk from the town center. The memorials and main sights lie close together and are easy to reach on foot.
Every September, representatives from Turkic-speaking nations gather for a multi-day event that includes ceremonies at the tomb and athletic competitions in the stadium. The celebrations draw thousands of visitors and transform the otherwise quiet town center into a place of shared memory.
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