Mudurnu

Mudurnu is a small town and a district of Bolu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 52 km south-west of the city of Bolu. It covers an area of 1,349 km², and the population (2000) is 25,480 of which 6,000 live in the town of Mudurnu. The mayor is Mehmet İnegöl (CHP).

History

The town has a long history and the name Mudurnu comes from the Byzantine princess Modrene, and the ruins of the Byzantine castle can still be seen above the town.

This is an attractive district of forest and mountain. Mudurnu itself is a historical town with a number of well-preserved Ottoman Empire period houses.

Economy

Until 2002 the local economy was heavily dependent on the now-bankrupt Mudurnu Chicken company, one of Turkey's largest poultry producers and fast-food chains. Since then the local people have begun to invest in tidying up and restoring the old town in order to attract weekend visitors. Many of the old houses are now restaurants serving local cuisine.

Places of interest

• Babas Kaplıcası - mineral water spring with accommodation in a restored Ottoman wooden house.

Coordinates: 40°28′N 31°13′E / 40.467°N 31.217°E / 40.467; 31.217