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Since Muğla is not in close proximity of the large
tourist cities, it remained still predominantly exempted from
the mass tourism and its influences. Therefore the eastern way
of life can still be sensed. It is the center and market place
of the residents as well as of the surrounding villages.
Muğla
is a town with an interesting character; particularly the old
part of town with their many small handycraft stores
closely lined together spreads an atmosphere of oriental,
original air. You can watch the craftsmen at work and you will
find that some handicrafts have already become extinct
in Europe.
It is well worthwhile to once stroll through the narrow, at times steep
streets of the old town laned with its white washed walls
and beautiful wooden doors down to where the shoemaker,
repairer of clocks, the smith and the coppersmith are at
work.
Once a week a
large part of the city is transformed into an interesting,
multicolored, eastern market with an abundance of
produce and smells. The prices in Muğla are considered
reasonable and compared to European standards still quite
cheap, esp. native products.
Behind the old part of town rises the former fortress mountain
Hisar Dağı, which is also called Masa Dağı (table
mountain). It is easy to recognize it by its flat top, from
which its name derives. On the way to the top some old rock
graves can still be seen.
On the top of the mountain plateau you can enjoy a wonderful view over
the city and the so-called Mugla plateau. Unfortunately
hardly any remains of the former fortress can be found. But
as an ancient and interesting leftover count among other
things still two wells, which are on the top of the plateau.
One of the wells still provides plenty of water and serves
the goat shepherds as watering place for their herds.
In the old part of town the city administration restored some so-called
Muğla houses and opened them for the public.
These houses tell us something about the earlier living
traditions of Greeks and Ottomans who used to live here.
To have
a look at the small museum of the city is
worthwhile, where ancient remains of the environment are
exhibited. The museum is in an old building which used to be
the prison of the city.
The wineyards (Yayla) are a further tourist attraction
of the Mugla region. They are divided into different areas,
which are designated to a tea house or a mosque. It is
worthwhile to hike or drive by mountain bike through these
gardens.
For
hiking and nature friends we recommend a hike to the
interesting ravine of Mugla. Passing ruins
and flowering
pastures you will get to a
small waterfall.
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