Places to Visit in Buca, Izmir and Buca Travel Guide – Discover Buca

Buca, the district with the highest population in İzmir, is a lesser-known, little-known but highly-potential place with its lush villages, deep-rooted culture, clean air, mansions from the Levantines, neighborhoods bearing the traces of population exchange, breathtaking parks and gardens, delicious food. . Places to visit in Buca, where is Buca, how to get there, where to stay, camping Answers to all your questions about Buca, such as Buca travel guide This article is waiting for you, let's explore Buca together.

What You Need to Know About Buca

TRAVEL'S NOTE: Before you start to visit a place, it is very important to learn briefly about its history, culture and economy. When you put this information you learned while visiting that place in your pocket, you will realize that what you see becomes much more meaningful.

Before moving on to the list of places to visit in Buca, let's talk about what you need to know about Buca.

• The first suburban train in Anatolia started to serve between Alsancak Paradiso and Buca. It was built in the 1860s by the British Levantine family Reesler.
• The first horse races in Turkey were held at Şirinyer Racecourse in Buca.
• The first tennis club in Turkey was established in Buca under the name of Güzel Hava Club.
• The first golf and tennis competitions and athletics races in İzmir were held in Buca.
• Buca is the place that got the first electricity license in İzmir in 1925.
• Kızılçullu Village Institute, one of the first village institutes in Turkey, was established in Buca. 
• It is one of the rare Anatolian cities where Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic churches are side by side on the same street. 
• Throughout history, İzmir's water needs have been met from Buca, which is why there are many aqueducts in Buca and İzmir. 
• Dokuz Eylul University Flag Museum, Turkey's first national flag museum, is also in Buca.

What to eat and where to eat in Buca? ve 10 reasons to discover Buca I recommend that you take a look at my articles.

History of Buca

The history of Buca dates back to the ancient period. It is known that an ancient woman bust was found in the northeast of Buca in 1868 and it was moved to the British Museum. Although it is not among the exhibited works of the museum, it is known that it is in its warehouses. B.C. In 630 BC, the Lydians attacked İzmir and after this attack, the people dispersed and settled in Buca, Dereköy, Kangölü and Kozağacı regions. Around Paradisoda (now Şirinyer), Kançeşme (now Gürçeşme), Kangölü, and Meles Stream, ruins such as a Roman castle, aqueducts, and tombstones were found.

Unfortunately, there is no clear source as to where the name Buca came from. The name Buca is first seen in official records after the earthquake in Izmir in 1688, when the French Consulate was moved here.

While Buca was a Greek Village, Greeks, Jews and Turks lived together. Thanks to this cosmopolitan structure, many of the Levantine families from Europe settled in Buca, ensuring the economic and cultural enrichment and development of the region. In the Ottoman period, Buca Train Station was built in order to transport Buca's famous grapes to Alsancak Port. Turkey's first suburban train line thus came to life.

Many Levantine families, English, Dutch, Belgian, German and Italian, left Buca after we won the War of Independence. While the Greek population went to Greece with the population exchanges, the immigrant Turks who replaced them settled in Buca. The Museum of Migration and Exchange, located in the center of Buca, showcases this period very successfully, I recommend you to see it.

Places to Visit in Buca

To make it easy to follow the list of places to visit in Buca Places to visit in the center of Buca, the mansions in Buca and the villages of Buca I gathered under the headings. Of course, almost all of the mansions are in the center of Buca, but I thought it would be easier to read and follow this way.

If you want to tour Buca properly, you will need at least three days. You can only finish their villages, their neighborhoods with different cultures and their historical beauties in three days. Buca is exactly a destination for those who read a lot and travel a lot. If you do not read enough about Buca or do not visit with a guide, if you do not learn its history and culture, you can wander around the streets and come back. For these reasons, this article should be at hand while visiting Buca.

Places to Visit in Buca Center

When talking about places to visit in Buca, especially for those living in İzmir, villages or picnic areas come to mind. However, Buca center offers many options for history and culture enthusiasts with its multicultural structure.

Butchers Square

Butchers Square is the right spot if you need to determine a central point to start touring the center of Buca. You can see the old Buca structures around the square, you can walk to Dumlupınar Mahallesi, Yaylacık Mahallesi and places to visit in these neighborhoods, and you can easily access the cultural heritage of Buca.

You can buy products such as fresh fruits, vegetables and honey from the producers from the surrounding villages at the producers' market, which is held every Thursday in Butchers Square, at affordable prices. Many agricultural products are produced in Buca Villages, from cherries to pears, from okra to lavender.

Buca was famous for its grapes, and the grape trade was an important source of income in the past. Although not as many as before, there are vineyards that continue to grow grapes. Mevlana Karası, Pink Gemre, Osmanca and Kozak Black, Buca Rezakisi and Sultaniye varieties are the grape varieties grown in Buca. You may also have the chance to buy grapes in the producer's market, depending on the season, or from groves that are not yet grapes.

Buca Migration and Exchange Memorial House

One of the old Greek houses in Butchers Square Immigration and Exchange Memorial House It was arranged in a very nice way. The interior of the building, which is entered by passing under the vine in its garden, is completely equipped with stories that tell of the lives that have changed with the exchange. Think about it, there is an agreement between two states and you are asked to leave the place where you were born, raised and rooted, taking as much as a suitcase with you in one night. Approximately 2 million people, 1 million 200 thousand non-Muslims living in Anatolia (excluding Istanbul) and 500 thousand Muslims living in Greece are displaced, leaving their memories, loved ones and neighbors behind and going to a place they have never known.

You get goosebumps in every room while visiting Ani's house. In one room of the Immigration and Exchange Memorial House, a play was prepared about what you can fit in a suitcase, and in another room, the memories written by the children of the exchanged families were transferred to the walls.

On the first floor, there is an interactive hall where Gülcemal Ship is explained. Let me briefly talk about the Gülcemal Ship for those who do not know or have not heard of it; The ship took an active part in the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. He carried the exchanges coming to Turkey from Thessaloniki and Crete to the ports of Istanbul, Izmir and the Black Sea. And of course, he witnessed many bittersweet events during these expeditions that he carried the exchanges. Some of these testimonies have been moved to the memorial house.

There are many rooms that deeply affect people, such as clothes, belongings, passports, documents about the exchange, simulations of places where immigrants are examined and kept waiting for epidemics.

Admission to the Immigration and Exchange House is free. It can be visited between 09:00-17:00 every day except Sundays. If you want to have more information about the museum and visit the museum as a group, you can come by making an appointment in advance, the museum officer Hazal Ms. can accompany you and give you detailed information.

In Butchers Square just behind the memorial house Exchange Monument, placed here in 2021. When you go to see the memorial house, you can also see the monument.

• Immigration and Exchange Memorial House Address: Menderes, Butchers Square, 132nd Street. No:41 Buca Izmir
• Immigration and Exchange Memorial House Phone: 0232 293 92 86

Buca – st. Jean Baptist Latin Catholic Church (Dom Church)

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Just a 4-minute walk from Butchers Square, on the side of Dumlupınar Neighborhood, there is the Latin Catholic Church affiliated to the Vatican. The church was built in 1815 and opened for worship in 1840. While the church was being built, the interior decorations were made by the craftsman community and none of them were paid for this work. These beautiful decorations, which make you feel like you are inside the Vatican, are called the art of the poor. The walls of the church were built to be earthquake resistant and 1.5 meters thick using Khorasan mortar.

The organ in the church was brought from abroad in the first year (1927) of the Izmir International Fair, and is still in working condition. There is also the opportunity to see the organ closely and to look at the church from above by going up to the floor where the organ is located.

If you want to visit the church or to visit it as a tourist attraction, it would be good to call and make an appointment. Italian Father Dondy Marko or church attendants will assist you with a tour inside.

• Buca Latin Catholic Church Address: Dumlupınar Mahallesi 81 Street No:23

Buca Protestant Baptist Church

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Buca Protestant Baptist ChurchIt is located on Erdem Street in Dumlupınar Neighborhood, only 500 meters from Butchers Square. The church was founded in 1834 as a Protestant Anglican church. It was an independent Protestant church, later renamed the Baptist Church. The building, which was used as a place of worship until 1961, was transferred to Buca Municipality in 1965 with the decline of its congregation. Until 2001, it served as a wedding, wedding hall and cultural center. It was restored in 2001 and started to serve as a church again.

With the support of the Rees Family, one of the influential Levantine families of Buca, the material used on the church roof was brought from Wales, and the church organ was donated to the church by the Rees Family.

There are graves belonging to members of important families in the garden of the church. The most famous of these families are the tombs of the ancestors of the Forbes Family, the founder of the world-famous Forbes magazine. There are rumors that the grave of the great-grandfather of Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the character of Sherlock Holmes, is also here, but it is not clear if it is just a name similarity or if there is really a blood relation.

• Buca Protestant Baptist Church Address: Adatepe, 35390 Buca/Izmir
• Buca Protestant Baptist Church Phone: 0232 440 22 22

Historical Buca Pharmacy

Again, we are at the historical Buca Pharmacy, very close to the Butchers Square. This is Buca's first pharmacy. Although pharmacist Mehmet Kamil Ergen started to operate the pharmacy in 1925, the date 1906 is engraved on the marble counter in the pharmacy laboratory. For this reason, the first establishment date is estimated to be 1906.

When you enter the pharmacy, you can see the old cabinets and the old pharmaceutical materials that are currently on display. Currently, the pharmacy serves under the name "Eczane Buca".

• Historical Buca Pharmacy Address: Governor Rahmi Bey, Uğur Mumcu Cd. No:2, Buca Izmir
• Historical Buca Pharmacy Phone: 0232 420 05 72

Old Buca Streets – Barış Manço Culture Street

Dumlupınar Neighborhood is one of the old centers of Buca. Many of the houses in the neighborhood went through restoration and started to serve as hotels, cafes, restaurants, wine houses and second-hand booksellers. While just walking around the streets is very enjoyable, surprises such as Levantine Mansions and churches will add flavor to your trip. One of the streets in the neighborhood was closed to traffic by the Municipality of Buca and named Barış Manço Culture Street. There are also mobile stalls where you can find handmade products on the street.

Muradiye Mosque

One of your historical stops in Dumlupınar Neighborhood should be Muradiye Mosque. Apart from the pleasant streets around it, it is also a great place to take a cool break thanks to the grand trees in its garden.

Muradiye Mosque was built in 1950 on the land of the Buca Agios Ioannis Prodromos Orthodox Church, which was built in 1797. The remains of the Orthodox church are; water well, 2 Corinthian capitals, neoclassical entrance-exit doors. 

• Buca Muradiye Mosque Address: Dumlupınar District, 97. Street Buca İzmir

Sirinyer Train Station

Why are there among the places to visit in Buca? Sirinyer Train Station You may be wondering if there is, you are right. Currently, this station does not work, the train does not dock, the İZBAN metro passes under the station where the station is located.

The reason why Şirinyer Train Station is on this list is because it has a historical significance. Şirinyer is one of the stops of a railway that was built by the Ottoman Railway Company (ORC) in 1858, with the Levantine families taking the initiative to develop trade between İzmir Alsancak and Aydın and to transport mining and agricultural products. At that time, the name of the stop was Paradiso, in 1935 ORC was abolished and all lines and stops were transferred to TCDD and the name of the stop was Kızılçullu, and it was last named Şirinyer in the 1950s.

Although it is not currently in service, the old station building and its annexes are still standing. If you happen to pass by Şirinyer, don't hesitate to stop by the bustling train station and take a few pictures.

Buca Train Station

The train station again! Yes, the train station. Moreover, this time we are at Buca Train Station, one of the stations forming Turkey's first suburban train line. This train line was established with the initiative of Levantine families. The train station, which was established to deliver Buca's famous grapes to Alsancak Port, is unfortunately idle today. Wouldn't it be great if a black train museum opened here?

Maiden's Tower

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Buca Maiden's TowerUntil recently, it was in vineyards and olive groves, but today it remains in an urbanized area. Levantine Haji AndoniadisA tower of. The tower, which has a wide base, rises in a conical shape, with a cone-shaped roof at the top. The upper part of the stone structure was accessed by a staircase that went around from the outside. Haji Andoniadis When he died, the tower remained unclaimed, and in time it became the meeting point of the youth. Young men and women of marriageable age began to gather around the tower, so its name began to be known as the Maiden's Tower. But of course, there are stories told about the tower:

The first story is about the daughter of a Greek Bey. The daughter of the Greek brain gets a deadly disease. The Greek gentleman tries every way for his daughter to recover, takes him to many doctors, but cannot find a cure. As a last resort, the Greek Governor believes that his daughter will be healed if they settle in Buca, which has a clean air and heals the sick. He built a stone tower that overlooks the Paradiso Plain and places his daughter there. However, even the clean air of Buca cannot heal the girl and she dies in this tower. Therefore, the name of the tower was Maiden's Tower.

The second story is the love story of the Greek Bey's daughter and the priest's son. The Greek chief's daughter and the priest's son fall in love with each other. However, there are disagreements between their fathers. Two young people have a tower built on their land in order to communicate. The tower of the Greek Bey's daughter is called the Maiden's Tower, and the tower of the priest's son is called the Boy's Tower. Since there are empty lands between the two towers, they see each other when they go up to the towers.

The second story seems better to me, so I want to believe it. Unfortunately, it is not possible to enter the tower at the moment, but it is in good condition.

• Buca Maiden's Tower Address: Barış Mahallesi, 152. Street. 7 A, Buca Izmir

Kizilçullu Paradiso Aqueducts

Kizilçullu Paradiso AqueductsWhile coming to Buca from Konak direction, it is on the Meles Stream on the way. Buca is famous for its abundant water resources as well as its air. These arches were built during the Roman Period to carry the spring waters of Buca to the center of İzmir. It is possible to see other waterways and arches in Buca.

The first name of Şirinyer in history was Paradiso, that is paradise, and the next name was Kızılçullu. Later, the name of the district became Şirinyer. For this reason, the name of the aqueducts here is called Kızılçullu Paradiso Aqueducts. It is possible to reach the arches by following the red direction signs. The view of the two arches in succession is quite impressive. It is said that egg white was used in the construction of these arches, as in many solid structures in Anatolia.

The place where the arches are located was also the stopping point of the caravans who wanted to benefit from the waters of Meles Stream, fairs were held here and entertainments were held.

Mevlana Statue & Tingir Tepe

Another mysterious question is why there is a Mevlana Statue in Buca. Although there are some guesses about the construction of the Mevlana Statue, I would like to focus on the story of Petros Tingıryan, after which this hill is named. Petros Tingiryan, born in 1799 in an Armenian Catholic family in Istanbul and sent to Vienna to receive Catholic education, returns to Istanbul due to some negative experiences he had during his education. He comes to ' and builds himself a tower and a house on this hill. Tingryan, who lived in Buca for 40 years, spoke 9 languages ​​(Armenian, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian, Italian, French and Sanskrit) fluently. Tıngıryan, who believes that world peace can be achieved and that humanity should unite under a single language, said:“Sahleray” develops his own language. Develops a dictionary and musical notation in this language.

If he was visited by those who believed in his philosophy in his home, where he retreated to reading, the people around him would call him "the stupid man on the hill" or "the lonely man on the hill". Tıngıryan, a literary genius and linguist, dies in Buca. His philosophy has reached different parts of the world through Levantine Families, and there are debates as to whether John Lennon could one day write the song “Fool on the hill” or the song “imagine” inspired by Tingryan. There is more, could Tıngıryan, who developed his own language, have inspired the Lord of the Rings as well? We do not yet know the answers to these questions. Does it still seem like a coincidence that the statue of Mevlana, who believes in world peace and says "Come, whoever you are", is here?

The Mevlana Statue overlooks Buca from a height of 75 meters and is located in a park surrounded by trees. Neva Cafe, operated by Buca Municipality, is a nice place to have breakfast, food and drink in the park. You can sit in this cafe and think about contemplating the scenery Tıngıryan sees.

Yörük Ali Efe Park and Priest's Tower

Known for his heroism in the War of Independence, Yörük Ali Efe settled in Buca at the request of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk after the proclamation of the Republic and lived here until the end of his life. To honor him, a statue of him was erected in the park at Kosutepesi, and the park was named after him.

There is also a tower in the park. While some say that this tower is an old mill, it is known that there used to be a Priest's School right next to this tower and that the tower was the tower of the Priest's School. It is said that the Boy's Tower, which is mentioned in the story of the Maiden's Tower, is also this tower. From the point of view of their location, the two towers were at an angle to see each other when there were no buildings around.

• Yörük Ali Efe Park Address: Efeler Mahallesi, 306/1. Street. No:10, 35380 Buca Izmir

Fountain of Nine Fountains

Have you heard the story of the fountain that gave its name to Dokuz Çeşmeler Square in Buca?

The first horse races in our country were held in Şirinyer Hippodrome in Buca. In honor of the races, Sultan Abdülaziz visited Buca and was hosted one night in the famous Baltazzi mansion. Levantines from Buca had the Dokuz Fountains Fountain built in Asparuk Square in honor of Sultan Abdulaziz's participation in the races. Stories like this are the reason why I always give the answer to the question "Does one who reads a lot or travels a lot know?" If you do not know these stories, you will pass by this fountain.

Cumhur Asparuk Square – Water Mill

Located in Cumhur Asparuk Square, right next to the Dokuz Çeşmeler Fountain, the Water Mill was the place where water distribution was made in this region. Asparuk Square in Buca is what Taksim Square is in Istanbul. In 2021, with the work of Buca Municipality, its wheels were made operational again.

Orthodox Church 

There used to be an Orthodox Church very close to Dokuzçeşmeler Square, but now only the door of the church remains and it is in a very derelict condition. Even if you don't add it to your travel list.

Flag Science and Turkish Flag Museum

Did you know that Turkey's first flag museum is in Buca?

The museum, which was opened on September 9, 2020, the liberation day of Izmir, within the body of Dokuz Eylül University, is located in Dokuzçeşmeler and is a very young museum. The mansion belonging to the Barff Family, one of the Levantine families, has been converted into a museum. Both the mansion and the museum are definitely worth seeing.

The flags of Turkish States and world civilizations that lived in the past are exhibited in 4 separate halls in the museum. The arrangement of the museum, which also has a section for children, was also very nice.

In order to visit the museum, you need to make an appointment in advance. Entry is free.

• Flag Science and Turkish Flag Museum Address: Adatepe Mahallesi, 24th Street. No: 2, 35400 Buca Izmir
• Flag Science and Turkish Flag Museum Phone: 0232 301 04 48

Yaylacik Neighborhood

One of the historical neighborhoods of Buca is Yakacık District. The residents of the neighborhood where the immigrants from Thessaloniki were settled settled here by making the exact same copies of their homes in Thessaloniki. These are houses with red bricks up to the half of the ground floor of one or two-storey houses, some of which have benches in front of them, and they have gardens behind them. Everyone raised their own animals at home. Over time, along with urbanization, most of these houses were demolished and new apartments were built in their place, and the island with the houses in the photo above is the last remaining island parcel. If these too are destroyed, a history will be gone, unfortunately.

Ataturk Mask

*Photo: Buca Municipality

There is an Atatürk Statue 40 meters high on the hill where the borders of Buca and Konak districts meet. 15 engineers made this sculpture using 350 tons of steel profiles and spraying concrete on it. When I see his statue ehr, which can be seen while passing through Yeşildere Street, an excitement fills me. It is not easy to take a photo of the statue, it is necessary to stop on the main road or shoot from afar. That's why I had to use a photo from the Buca Municipality's page.

Hasanaga Garden

Hasan Ağa Garden is the biggest park located in the center of Buca, between Üçkuyular and Dokuz Çeşmeler Squares. While the garden was the garden of an old Levantine mansion, today it is a place where the people living here breathe with its walking and cycling paths.

Sirinyer Racecourse

No, Sevil, you didn't say what the hippodrome has to do with the list of places to visit, right? In fact, the hippodrome is on this list because it has a cultural significance for Buca, and watching horse races while eating and drinking is a part of the travel experience. In addition to being the place where the first horse races were held in Turkey, this place has a special place in the world of horse racing with the first night races to be held.

Racing animals and the fact that it is a recreational vehicle may be an interesting experience for many people, even though it is against me.

Historical Mansions That Made Buca Buca

If you've read my article so far (congratulations), I think you've realized that it's impossible to go without mentioning the Levantines while talking about and visiting Buca. There are many Levantine mansions in Buca that you can visit or be content to see from the outside. Below I have listed the ones I had the opportunity to visit:

De Jongh Mansion or Mansion - SSI Service Building 

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De Jongh Mansion was built in 1877 by the Dutch-born British De Jongh Family, one of the Levantine families who first settled in Buca. When the De Jongh Family left Izmir, the mansion first passed to the Italian Sperco Family and then to the Aliberti Family. The mansion, which was expropriated in 1930, serves as the SGK Service Building today.

It is known that tennis competitions were held in the garden of the mansion and that it served as a tennis club for a while. It is thought to have been used as a sanatorium before it was the SGK building. The mansion is designed as two floors above the basement. The basement floor was used as a cellar and shelter, and it is said that the De Jongh Family had to hide here and then left Izmir. Bodrum today serves as an exhibition hall, so you can see it too.

Some scenes of the movie Veda, which tells about Atatürk's life, were shot in this mansion. If you remember the scene of the event that caused Atatürk to decide to divorce Latife Hanım, that scene was shot here.

De Jongh Mansion is not open to touristic visits.

• De Jongh Mansion Address: SGK Buca Campus, Menderes Cd. No: 20, Buca Izmir

Davut Fargoh Mansion (Pink Mansion) – Buca Municipality Culture and Art Center

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Located in Dumlupınar Neighborhood Davut Fargoh Mansion or popularly known as Pink MansionToday, it serves as the Buca Municipality Culture and Art Center. The Fargoh family, of Christian Syriac origin, operated the ferry lines.

According to sources, Fargoh Mansion was built in 1903 and was used as Buca Municipality Service Building between 1925 and 2000. After the Buca Municipality moved to its new building in 2000, Davut Fargoh Mansion was put into service as Buca Municipality Culture and Art Center and Library.

Today, the bath in the garden of the building serves as the library and the outbuildings as the Boudja Gastro Pub, which is operated by the Municipality of Buca. These are good movements for the preservation and preservation of history. Boudja Gastro Pub is a very stylish place for both a meal and a tea and coffee break. If you go, don't forget to try ayran frozen!

• Davut Fargoh Mansion Address: Dumlupınar, Uğur Mumcu Cd. No:29, Buca Izmir

Manoli Hotel

Located in Dumlupınar Neighborhood, it was built in 1838. Manoli HotelThe oldest known hotel in Buca. It was built by the Greek-origin Belgego Family. It is known that the family of Belgego immigrated to Egypt after the events of 1922 and the Levantines who came to Buca stayed here and played games such as beziki poker. Manoli Hotel, which is the oldest residence with an epitaph in Buca, was built at a high level architecturally, although it is old.

The building lastly served as a nursing home, but is not currently used and is not open to visitors. On the same street as the hotel is the Italian Latin Catholic Church.

• Manoli Hotel Address: Dumlupınar District 81 Street Buca İzmir

Russo Mansion

Russo Mansion, is a mansion that differs from the other mansions in Buca in terms of architecture. Although the exact date of construction is unknown, it is estimated that it was built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, based on its architecture. Although the name of the mansion comes from the Russo Family, the real owners of the house are unknown, as it was on the date of its construction.

Russo Mansion is not open to visitors at the moment, you can only see it from the outside. You can immediately notice the decorations on its exterior on the street where it is located. Russo Mansion is on the same street as the Italian Latin Catholic Church.

• Russo Mansion Address: Dumlupınar District 81 Street Buca İzmir

Rees Mansion – Dean's Office of Buca Education Faculty

The British Rees Family is one of the leading Levantine families in İzmir and they are known to be from Buca. They built the Rees Mansion in Buca and settled here permanently. The Rees Family contributed a lot to the social and cultural life in Buca. Due to their interest in horse races, they built the place where Şirinyer Racecourse is located today and initiated the first horse races in Turkey. The Rees Family had colored glass stained glasses made for the Protestant Church and gifted them to the church, and these stained glasses were later moved to the St. John Evangelist Church in Alsancak.

Although the exact construction date of Rees Mansion is unknown, it is estimated that it was built in the same period as the Fargoh Mansion, between 1890-95. It was built as a replica of Queen Victoria's summer residence. When viewed from the outside, the mansion has a dignified appearance. The interiors, on the other hand, are extremely magnificent and impressive. The fireplaces in almost every living room, each more beautiful than the other, were the details that caught my attention the most.

During the First World War, the mansion was confiscated and served as a boarding school (Darül Muallimin).

Rees Mansion currently serves as the Dean of Buca Education Faculty. Since we visited the mansion as a guest of Buca Municipality, we took special permission. It is not open to visitors/tourism under normal conditions. The halls of the mansion are used as the office rooms of the dean's office.

• Rees Mansion Address: Buca Education Faculty Campus Uğur Mumcu Cad, 135. Sokak. No: 5, Buca

Dimostanis Baltazzi Mansion – Baltacı Mansion – Mehmet Akif Inan Anatolian High School

Baltazzi or Baltaci MansionIt is known as one of the first mansions of Buca. The owner of the mansion, Demostanis Baltacı, is a famous museum curator, archaeologist and painter. Ottoman Hamdi Bey He was someone who worked with, who had studies on archeology. Looking at the garden and building architecture of Baltacı Mansion, it is possible to see that there are touches of someone who understands archeology.

Baltazzi Mansion hosted Sultan Abdulmecit in 1856 and Sultan Abdulaziz in 1863, thus becoming the most prestigious mansion in Buca. In Ottoman tradition, the door used by the sultan was closed for use so that it would not be used again. In the Baltazzi Mansion, the sultan entered the mansion through the door facing the Aliotti Garden, and the door was closed in accordance with the traditions, and it was never used again.

The part of the mansion after the Ax Family is a bit unclear. It is known that a wealthy merchant from Izmir named Ispartalıyan bought the mansion in the 1890s, and in the 19th century, the mansion was bought on behalf of the Greek National Bank. Venizelos donated this mansion to the Izmir Greek Community to be built as an orphanage for the children of those who died in the war. In 1922, the orphans here were transferred to Greece by the American Red Cross.

The mansion, which passed to the Turkish State after 1922, was donated to Mustafa Kemal Pasha. Pasha wanted the mansion to be used as a school and since then the mansion building has continued to be used as a school.

Dimostanis Baltaci Mansion, today Mehmet Akif Inan Anatolian High School It is used as a building. Since it is a school, you can visit both the garden and the building. Although the cistern in the garden of the mansion is in a dilapidated state, the pool and the Aphrodite Statue by the pool still preserve their beauty.

Address of Baltacı Mansion: Mustafa Kemal, 694/45. sc. No1, Buca Izmir

Forbes Mansion

One of the most famous Levantine families of Buca is the British Forbes Family, the founders of the world-famous Forbes Magazine. Built in a large garden on a hill overlooking Buca, Forbes Mansion, according to the coat of arms on its door, was built in 1908, suffered a fire in 1909, and was rebuilt in 1910 to reach its present form.

It is known that the Forbes Family is engaged in trade and is rich with the export of antimony mines and licorice root. Thanks to this wealth, they had one of the most magnificent mansions of Buca and even Izmir built, but after a while they left Izmir. After the Forbes Family left Izmir, the Whittall Family used the mansion.

The Forbes Mansion stands empty today and is closed to visitors. However, since it is located in the garden of Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, it is possible to see the mansion from the outside by entering the garden. If you go to see the mansion, make sure to take a full tour around it. The place at the back, which I guess was the winter garden, is also very beautiful.

It used to be a place used by wedding photographers for shooting, but now this type of photo shoot is not allowed due to the danger of collapse.

• Forbes Mansion Address: Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, Kozağaç Mahallesi, Özmen Cd. No:147, Buca Izmir

Buca is very rich in terms of Levantine Mansions. There are also pavilions that are closed to visitors, which I could not include here. I tried to list the most known and historically significant mansions. If there are Buca mansions that you have visited and that you think should be on this list, do not forget to write them in the comments.

Buca Villages Full of Green

Now it's time to visit the famous villages of Buca with its greenery, nature and fruits and vegetables, which are among the most well-known places of Buca. My favorite thing in the villages was a great plane tree that greeted us in every village square, took it under its branches and cooled it, and the hospitable villagers who opened their hearts to us.

Resources Village

Kaynaklar Village is the closest village to the center of Buca, only 12 kilometers from Butchers Square. Located in the village square and over 1000 years old, the Kunduracı Plane Natural Monument is the most famous spot of the village. You can drink tea and coffee under the plane tree and cool off.

Kangöl or Manavur Waterway Also known as the region known as Kaynaklar, it is one of the waterways located around the village of Kaynaklar and has survived from the Roman Period. This is where Buca's water sources come out. The region is also a frequent destination for picnickers and those who love hiking.

Belenbasi Village

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Belenbaşı Village is one of the two nomadic villages of Buca, only 15 kilometers from Butchers Square. The village, which became settled with the proclamation of the Republic, is still trying to keep the nomadic culture alive. They built a nomadic tent called "Goca Yörük" just outside the village. You can visit the tent, see the belongings of the nomadic life, take pictures, and if you are lucky, you can drink nomadic ayran.

If you go during the period, you can also find local products such as grapes, figs and cherries.

Kirklar Village

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Kırklar Village is the other nomadic village of Buca. The most striking aspect of the village, which is 18 kilometers from the Butchers Square, is the Ottoman tombs in the village cemetery. Although the inscriptions on the tombstones have not been deciphered yet, they show us that it is the oldest cemetery in the region, in other words, a settlement. It is said that the patterns used on the tombstones resemble Turkmen or even Shaman designs, and these tombs are even called Shaman tombs among the people.

Dogancilar Village

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Doğancılar Village is located approximately 22 kilometers from the center of Buca, namely Butchers Square. This is one of the highest places in Buca, so the weather and nature are both beautiful and there is a female headman.

Doğancılar Village has come to the fore with one more feature in recent years, and that is Lavender Gardens. The lavender cultivation, which we are accustomed to seeing in many parts of Turkey, has started to be practiced in Doğancılar as well, and the people of İzmir do not need to go to Isparta or Burdur with its swings and pools. When you go to the lavender fields, don't forget to ask for honey, their honey is also very good.

Buca Attractions Map

The places I mentioned above can be found on Google Maps. Buca places to visit map I marked it. Buca travel map is below, categorized as Buca centre, Buca mansions, Buca villages, food and beverage in Buca and accommodation in Buca. Map online via Google Maps app Click to reach.

Where is Buca, How to Go?

Although Buca is little known and it is not often visited, it is actually very close to the center of Izmir. Şirinyer metro station is only 5 kilometers from Konak Square, while Butchers Square, which can be considered the center of Buca, is only 7 kilometers away. You can go to Butchers Square in 15 minutes by your own car from Konak Square, it takes about half an hour by bus. 

Best Time to Go to Buca

Although the best time to go to Buca depends on what you're going for, I would like to remind you that it is a place where you can visit every season and find something you love.

• If you are going to Buca for a cultural trip, you can go any season of the year, but if you like to take long walks, first or autumn would be better instead of the hot months of summer.
• If you are going to the villages of Buca, and if you want to find fresh fruits and vegetables and see lavender, the end of June and the beginning of July are the best times.

Where to Stay in Buca?

There are two hotels in Buca city center where you can stay safely. One is Çaba Hotel and the other is Diasos Hotel. Of course, there are hotels other than these, but these are the ones I can recommend with peace of mind. Even if you want to get away from the city, you can stay in touch with nature in the bungalows located in the Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center of Buca Municipality.

Caba Hotel & Spa

Çaba Hotel has positioned itself as the only “business” hotel in Buca, and we stayed there when we went. There are 63 rooms in total, 14 Standard and 77 Suite, and 2 meeting rooms under construction. The rooms we stayed in were standard rooms and were extremely clean and comfortable (the room in the photo above). The hotel is 2.2 kilometers from Butchers Square, so we cannot say it is right in the center. You can get information about room rates by calling the phone below.

• Buca Caba Hotel Address: Yenigün Mh, Journalist Writer İsmail Sivri Blv No:184-B, Buca İzmir
• Buca Effort Hotel Phone: 0232 520 29 30

Diasos Hotel

Opened in 2017, Diasos Hotel is one of the best-known hotels in Buca. There are 3 different types of rooms: Standard, Double Suite and Single Suite. The hotel is located 4 kilometers from the Butchers Square, so we cannot say that it is right in the center of Buca. You can get information about room rates by calling the phone below.

• Buca Diasos Hotel Address: Kuruçeşme, 1409. Sk. No:54, Buca Izmir
• Buca Diasos Hotel Phone: 0232 453 75 97

Buca Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center Bungalows

Buca Municipality Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center is an ideal place for those who want to be in touch with nature, scouts and campers. There are also activity areas such as a climbing wall and zipline in the center, where accommodation options such as tree houses, bungalows and tents are available. In the Dere Cafe in the center, you can meet your food and drink needs at affordable prices.

In order to stay in the center, you need to make a reservation in advance. Bungalows are reserved for groups only, so I suggest you call for information before you go.

• Buca Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center Address: 29 Ekim Mahallesi Gazi Feyzullah Sokak No:2 Resources Buca
•  Buca Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center Telephone: 0537 303 03 04

Is it possible to camp in Buca?

The villages of Buca are quite suitable for camping. When you go to the villages, my advice is to go to the village coffee house and ask, "Where can I pitch a tent here?" Probably a few people from the village will want to host you in their house. However, they also direct you to places suitable for camping. You can definitely find a place where you will be comfortable without disturbing the people living in the village. There are suitable places especially around Kaynaklar Village.

If you say you are looking for a camping area, tents can be set up in the garden of the Dere Cafe – Buca Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center in the vicinity of Kaynaklar Village. It's a good idea to call ahead and ask about availability.

•  Buca Scouting and Outdoor Sports Center Telephone: 0537 303 03 04

Buca Travel Video

You can watch the video of the Discover Buca event, which lasted for 3 days, below.

Buca Photos

The Buca photos I used in this article are listed below.

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A very good change and transformation has started in Buca. If I go again in 6 months, maybe I will meet a much more beautiful Buca. Current developments Bucayi Interpretation.com You can also follow on. However, without wasting time, add Buca to your travel plans.

As a guest of Buca Municipality, I had the opportunity to explore Buca on 1-2-3 July 2021. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the organization, especially Buca Municipality and Mayor Erhan Kılıç for this event.

Stay on track!