Isparta... Isparta exists in a country of fragrant roses and beautiful lakes of peaceful waters, one of the pretty cities in the Mediterranean region. Around 45 % of Isparta consists of high plateaus. There are many impressive caves around Isparta. If you go to Kirazildere or the environs of Sidre, you may view this lovely site with a bird's eye. Here is the Egirdir Lake which is one of the most fascinating of Türkiye, extending calmly along wide forests covering the foot of the mountains behind. It is an excellent site for relaxing, while it also offers opportunities for sur and fishing. Some of other picnicking sites are Golcuk Lake (13 km southwest from Isparta), Kirazlidere, Ayazma, Milas, Caravanserai, Altinkum Beach, Camyol, Kovada National Park and Lake, and Kasnak Forest, famous for various kinds of butterflies. The town of the same name, is a rarely beautiful site not only because of the charming scene the lake provides, but also with the ancient ruins decorating the land. The Ulu Mosque of 15th century stands here with its attractive minaret, along with the Seljuk fortress and Byzantine churches. Antiocheia, the ancient city of Yalvac and ruins at Bayat are the other monuments of sightseers' interest. National parks in Isparta are the Kovada and Kizildag, which please the visitors with their natural beauties and historical remains. The Kovada Lake is made up of bays and beaches, surrounded by forests, and possesses a fresh atmosphere just like the National Park of Kizildag full of thousands of nice cedar trees. Changing hands continuosly throughout history, Isparta also holds many signs from earlier times. At the museum of the city, a rich collection of ancient coins, fine examples from Turkish folklore, several Roman reliefs and works of art from the Ottoman period are found. Firdevs Papa Mosque, Yilan Koran fountain and Kink minaret are also spectacular monuments, while Yalvac, and Sarkikaraagac, are two other sites with ancient roots. Renowned for its unspoilt landscape and flora and fauna, the Goller Bolgesi (Lake District) lies in a mountainous area 150 km north of Antalya. Isparta, high in the Taurus Mountains, is a city of lakes with lovely coastal areas overgrown in the spring and summer with an exuberance of wild flowers. In the city you should stop at the Ulu Mosque, built in 1417 by the Seljuks. The Bedesten, or covered bazaar, dates from 1561. Firdevs Pasa Mosque was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. Be sure to see the 14th century Isparta Castle.

Rose gardens that produce rose oil for the cosmetic industry surround the city and fill it with their sweet scent. Other souvenirs include a thickly piled Isparta carpet. In the nearby hills, the districts of Kirazlidere and Sidre are popular with visitors who want to relax and enjooy the view. South of Isparta, Golcuk Lake, encircled by aromatic pine forests, rests at an impressive 1,405 meters above sea level. Egirdir, at the southern end of Lake Egirdir, is set in idyllic natural surroundings. Among the man-made monuments, Egirdir Castle built by the Lydian King Croesus shows the additons and renovations of the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks. The Seljuk Kemerli Minare has felt the changes of the modern world - today it stands in the middle of a road. In the lakeside restaurants you can sample white bass, the local speciality. A boardwalk connects the shore to Egirdir Island where weavers erect their looms and work outside their houses. On the western side of the lake, up in the hills, Barla's guest-houses provide a wonderful opportunity for relaxation. Kovada National Park, 30 km south of Lake Egirdir, surrounds Kovada Lake, a pristine and cool mountain getaway. Northeast of Isparta, Yalvac stands near the ancient city of Pisidian Antioch. This area was visited by St.Paul and St.Barnabas in 46 A.D. Among the ruins be sure to see St.Paul's Basilica, the aqueducts, Augustus' Temple, the theater and public baths as you walk along the city's marble streets. The Archaeological Museum in Yalvac itself displays several important regional artifacts. Tourists will find not only leather clothing but many interesting traditional souvenirs made of animal hide. East of Yalvac, atop Karakuyu Hill, is the sanctuary of the Moon God, Men, and the view from it is breathtaking. Giant cedar trees grow in Kizildag National Park, south of Yalvac, amid one of Türkiye's most splendid landscapes.