Discover Örencik Village

Archaeological highlight in Örencik Village

The Örencik Tumulus is located in the Dadıç Değirmeni neighborhood of Örencik Village. The Bolu Museum excavated it in 1995. Visitors who also consider cultural history when choosing where to stay will find a specific archaeological point of interest here.

The tumulus is 30 to 40 meters in diameter and 15 meters high. It is therefore considerably wider than it is tall; its diameter is about two to almost three times its height. These measurements make the mound’s size easy to gauge, while the range of 30 to 40 meters describes its width as a span rather than a single figure.

A tomb building lies south of the tumulus. It consists of a dromos, an antechamber, and a main chamber. The dromos is the entrance passage; the antechamber and main chamber are two further parts of the tomb structure. The site can thus be viewed both in terms of the mound’s external dimensions and the layout of the building to its south.

Dating and protected status

Finds from the Örencik Tumulus are dated to the Late Hellenistic and Early Imperial periods. This period extends from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD, encompassing the time both before and after the turn of the era. The period names and century-based date range provide two complementary chronological classifications of the finds.

On January 8, 1996, the archaeological site was designated a first-degree site by decision no. 4432 of the Ankara Committee for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets. The excavation and designation mark two different dates in the site’s local archaeology: the Bolu Museum’s excavation in 1995 and the formal protection decision in 1996. Together with its location, dimensions, and the layout of the tomb building, these details offer a multifaceted view of the Örencik Tumulus.

Bolu as the broader destination

The broader destination of Bolu has a designated cultural and historical route in the city center. It starts at the Bolu Museum, continues along İzzet Baysal Street to the Bolu Government Building and Valilik Square, and takes approximately three to four hours to visit. Another historical highlight in Bolu is Göynük: the tomb of Akşemsettin is located in the courtyard of the Gazi Süleyman Pasha Mosque. Fatih Sultan Mehmet had it built in 1464. It has a hexagonal ground plan and contains a walnut-wood sarcophagus, considered a valuable example of woodcraft.

Lake Abant is also part of the wider area around Bolu. It lies in the Abant Mountains, 34 kilometers southwest of the city of Bolu. A 22-kilometer paved road leads to the lake; it branches off at kilometer 203 from the Ankara–Istanbul D-100 and the TEM motorway. Check the route and road conditions before setting out. Hiking is possible at the lake. The endemic Abant crocus (Crocus Abantensis) grows on the surrounding slopes, and the endemic Abant trout (Salmo trutta fario var. abanticus) lives in the lake. There is also a nature museum at the entrance to Abant Nature Park, which can be visited free of charge.

For winter sports, Kartalkaya Ski Center in the broader destination of Bolu offers suitable conditions for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and ski touring. Bolu Patatesli Ekmeği adds another cultural note: this traditional bread is made with potatoes grown in Bolu, and the method of preparation is passed down from mother to daughter. The Bolu area therefore encompasses winter sports and regional food culture as well as historical sites and natural attractions.

Discover more destinations: Kaşbıyıklar, Kındıra, Sünnet, Ömerler Village, Mudurnu, Gerede, Çamlıca Village, Seben.

Return to the broader travel overview: Bolu.