27.06.2025 20:11
The 15-house Sarıhacılar Neighborhood in the Akseki district of Antalya draws attention with its 800-year history. The village, which has a population of 50, was visited by approximately 50,000 foreign tourists in the first six months of the year. With its historical texture and location on the Silk Road, the village offers a unique heritage that takes visitors back in time, featuring buttoned houses that are 300-400 years old, a historic mosque, migration routes, and cisterns.
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The 15-house Sarıhacılar Neighborhood in the Akseki district of Antalya draws attention with its 800-year history.
ABOUT 50 THOUSAND FOREIGN TOURISTS VISITED IN 6 MONTHS The village with a population of 50 was visited by approximately 50 thousand foreign tourists in the first 6 months of the year. The village, which stands out with its historical texture and location on the Silk Road, offers a unique heritage that takes visitors back in time with its 300-400 year old button houses, historical mosque, migration route, and cisterns.
BEING RESTORED ONE BY ONE Many of the historical houses that have collapsed over time are being restored one by one in recent years. With the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism added to the efforts of the local people, the result of the restoration works in Sarıhacılar has led to an increase in the number of visitors to the village every day.
Tourism guide Gürbüz Uçar stated that Sarıhacılar village, which was an important stop on the historical caravan routes between Konya and Antalya in the past, is a cultural heritage reflecting the grandeur of the past with its button houses and old mansions, which are unique examples of the region's civil housing architecture.
"SARIHACILAR IS VERY POPULAR" Uçar mentioned that they organize tours for tourists who want to take a break from the usual route while vacationing in the Antalya region, saying, "We are promoting the architectural structure known as button houses in this region. We are introducing our culture and nature. We offer a great opportunity for tourists who want to see an unembellished Turkey. Sarıhacılar village is becoming increasingly popular every day. This creates a really nice atmosphere for our tourists to get to know this region and its people, chat, and enjoy tea under the trees. People leave Sarıhacılar village very satisfied, and I can say that this region really leaves a great impact on tourists," he said.
"THE WOOD CARVING EXAMPLES ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HERE" Uçar pointed out that the 600-year-old mosque, which houses one of the most beautiful examples of wood carving, sheds light on the historical past of the village established on the historical Silk Road, saying, "Especially the presence of the historical Silk Road and the 600-year-old mosque in the historical Sarıhacılar village is one of the main reasons that led us here. Of course, the architectural structure within the village, the fact that some houses have been beautifully restored, and the environment it offers outside the sought-after hotel atmosphere is a very good reason for us to stop by here," he continued.
"THE RESTORATION OF THE MOSQUE HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT IS EMPTY INSIDE" "The restoration of the 600-year-old historical mosque has been done very beautifully. However, the artifacts belonging to the mosque have not been placed back during the restoration works. Again, the historical chandelier of the mosque, made of cast iron from the 1800s, which can be adjusted by hand according to the desired height, is something that returning tourists ask us about. Tourists want to get information from us on this matter. Previous tourists especially ask these questions because they know about them. We tell tourists that there used to be old artifacts in the mosque. Hopefully, they will be placed back by our state officials as soon as possible because the inside of the mosque is completely empty," he said.
"WE HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE REGION FOR 20 YEARS. GERMANS ARE THE MOST INTERESTED" Tourism guide Uçar noted that they have been bringing tourists to this region for about 20 years, saying, "For the past 20 years, this place has been a very popular tourism destination. In recent years, it has become even more popular. Tourists who came before want to return to Sarıhacılar village. They want to experience the same atmosphere again. Of course, tourists come to Antalya from more than 30 countries. But those coming from Germany and German-speaking countries show more interest," he said.
Matthıas Dressler, who came to visit from Germany, said, "I am spending my vacation with my wife Simone Dressler in Kumköy on the Mediterranean coast.
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We participated in a tour. We came to get to know the history and culture of Turkey that we were unfamiliar with. Our guide explained everything beautifully. I had come to Turkey about 25 years ago with my family. After many years, I came again this year with my wife. We really loved the Turkish hospitality. We came to this region for the first time through a tour. We were truly so impressed by this place that I can't describe it. It is a place worth seeing. We saw how people live in the inner regions behind the mountains, what they do, and what kind of architectural system they have established. Sarıhacılar is truly a magnificent place. I'm glad we came. When I return to Germany, I will tell my friends how amazing this place is that must be seen," he said.
"A PLACE THAT IS AMONG THE REGIONS THAT HAVE PRESERVED ITS CULTURAL TEXTURE IN TURKEY" Mustafa Kavasoğlu, a tourism entrepreneur who started tourism activity by restoring buttoned houses in Sarıhacılar village, stated that they began the tourism movement in 2015, saying, "Initially, we opened our museum and a restaurant, and later a small boutique hotel. Our investments here are legally operating facilities with a business license from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism," he said.
Kavasoğlu pointed out that Sarıhacılar village is becoming a place that is increasingly recognized and known each year, saying, "This year, we have hosted 50,000 foreign guests so far. I can say this comfortably. We also experienced a significant influx of local visitors this year. Especially in spring, at least 40,000 people came to visit our village by bus tours in Turkey. The most foreign tourists come from Germany. After that, Poles and Russians follow. Our recognition is increasing as the years go by. Sarıhacılar is, in my opinion, one of the leading places in Turkey that has preserved its cultural texture. This place is a pristine area that has completely preserved its texture. A conservation-oriented zoning plan was made in our village. It has fallen off the agenda. Perhaps this place will be one of those quiet villages where nothing is done. This is currently a village that has not altered its cultural texture at all. God willing, we do not want any zoning movements or other types of construction that would disrupt this texture. Because this is a very special village. As I said, it is a place that people are increasingly interested in every day, and we know that it will reach a more serious number of visitors in the future. People from all over the world will now come here to visit and learn about our culture, Turkish culture," Kavasoğlu continued.
"IS THERE ANY PLACE IN TURKEY OTHER THAN SARIHACILAR WITHOUT CONCRETE STRUCTURES?" Kavasoğlu emphasized that one of the biggest features of Sarıhacılar is that it is a village without concrete structures, saying, "I don't know if there is another place in Turkey like our village that has no concrete structures. But there is no concrete structure here at all. This place consists entirely of houses built in the traditional style known as buttoned houses. We have about 35 houses standing. We preserved and restored the existing ones. Sarıhacılar has become a good destination in Turkey. Now, when people go on tours, they examine this region, the buttoned houses, and come here. We saw this this year," he said.