History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore
Mudurnu Ahi Culture and Tradesmen's Prayer tradition is a unique civilization heritage that has been maintained uninterruptedly every Friday for more than 700 years and is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. According to rumor, during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, Mudurnu blacksmiths and tradesmen, organized with the teachings of Ahi Evran, would gather in the Orta Çarşı square immediately after the Friday prayer and pray together for abundance, honesty and halal earnings. At the end of the prayer, well-wishers offer 'bread and halva' to the shopkeepers and visitors who pray while standing; This centuries-old ritual carries the purest form of Anatolian tradesman ethics to the present day. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features
It is located in the historical urban protected area in the Mudurnu Stream valley, between two steep hills, at an altitude of approximately 840 meters. The bazaar is a preserved open-air museum with its Ottoman-era wooden frame shops, arastas, historical Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque and cobblestone streets. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees
•Entrance Fee:Watching the historical bazaar and Friday tradesmen's prayers is completely free.•Visiting Hours and Days (Mandatory): The bazaar is open 7 days a week; The centuries-old Tradesman's Prayer is performed every FRIDAY in the time between Sela and Friday Prayer (approximately 12:30 - 13:00).•Rules, Safety and Stroller/Disabled Access: Tranquility and respect must be maintained during prayer. The historical bazaar is stone coated and is stroller and wheelchair accessible.•Facilities and Facilities:There are historical shops, wooden handicraft workshops, traditional coffee houses, prayer rooms, toilets and restaurants. Transportation, Public Transit Routes and Exact Location•Address / Open Location:Orta Çarşı and Demirciler Arastası Square, Mudurnu / Bolu.•Road Condition and Vehicle Availability: It is 52 km away from Bolu city center; It can be easily reached by all vehicles via a completely divided asphalt road.•Real Public Transportation Information (Mandatory): You can reach the entrance of the market directly by Mudurnu minibuses, which depart from Bolu central bus station every half hour.•Parking Availability:There are free parking spaces at the entrance of the bazaar and the municipality car park. Spiritual Visiting Etiquette and Commemoration Guidelines•Spiritual Visit and Prayer Etiquette: During the Friday prayer, one should stand in a row with the shopkeepers, say 'Amen' to the blessing prayer and accept the distributed charity bread/halva with respect.•Documentary & Respectful Shooting:Photographing should be done silently from afar without disturbing the dignity of the prayer, and the historical blacksmith's hammer sounds and tradesman solidarity should be recorded.•Important Commemoration Days:Each Friday prayer has a different holiday atmosphere; Additionally, Ahilik Week events held every year in September are the busiest time.•Local Spiritual Tradition:After the prayer, receiving gifts of Mudurnu's registered palace halva, spoon handle manti and foam halva is a deep-rooted tradition of tradesmen.