A state was born here.
Söğüt is where a state that would span three continents began. Ertuğrul Gazi wintered here; Osman Gazi set out from here. What remains today is a tomb, a handful of early Ottoman buildings, and a ceremony repeated every September.
The founding line · from Söğüt to Istanbul1281 → 1453
- 1281 SÖĞÜT Ertuğrul Gazi's winter quarters
- 1299 Bilecik
- 1300 Yenişehir Seat of the principality
- 1326 Bursa First great capital
- 1360'lar Edirne
- 1453 Istanbul
Most dates on this line rest on traditional accounts; contemporary documents from the founding period are very few. The one certain thing is the sequence: the movement began at Söğüt, advanced westward, and at every step the centre moved to a larger city than the last.
At a glance
Everything worth seeing is within walking distance.
Söğüt's buildings from the founding period sit in a small area. The tomb, the mosque and the museum are all within walking distance of one another; half a day is enough for most visitors.
Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb
The tomb where Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman Gazi, lies buried. Most people who come to Söğüt come here.
Founding period · 19th-c. restoration · Town centre →Tombs of Halime Hatun and Savcı Bey
Tombs near the Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb, belonging to other members of the founding family.
Founding period · Beside the Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb →Çelebi Sultan Mehmet Mosque
The best-known early Ottoman mosque in Söğüt, named after Mehmed I (Çelebi Mehmed).
Early Ottoman · Early 15th century · Town centre →Festival
For one week a year, the town tells its own founding story.
The Ertuğrul Gazi Commemoration and Söğüt Festival is traditionally held every September. The programme changes from year to year; the items below recur most years.
- Commemoration at the tomb
- Yörük encampment
- Mehter military band
- Mounted jereed
- Archery
- Karakucak wrestling
Today
Where the founding is told, and where it happened.
Many know Söğüt from schoolbooks; few come to see it. Yet the landscape where the story took place is still standing, and largely quiet.
This site is a voluntary promotional project. For official information and applications, contact the Söğüt District Governorship and the Söğüt Municipality. If you spot anything missing or wrong, write to us via the contact page.