Nazilli: Ottoman Heritage and Industrial History

Nazilli offers several distinct themes for a trip: Ottoman heritage, the history of the Sümerbank calico-printing factory, and scenic places. Historical dates and location details provide concrete points of reference for these themes.

Industrial History on the Sümer Campus

The Nazilli Sümerbank calico-printing factory was Turkey’s first state-founded calico-printing factory. It opened on October 9, 1937, in the presence of Atatürk. Calico printing means printing patterns on cotton fabric, making the factory’s production sector clear from its name. The former factory building was transferred to Adnan Menderes University in 2003 and is now used as the Sümer Campus.

The historic Gıdı-Gıdı train is also located on the Nazilli Sümer Campus. It used to transport workers to the former Sümerbank calico-printing factory. After being restored, it resumed service on February 19, 2016. On its first trip after restoration, protocol representatives and local residents took a nostalgic ride. The factory, train, and campus thus represent different chapters: production, former worker transport, and the present-day use of the former factory building.

Ottoman Heritage and Historic Buildings

Dokuzun Hamamı dates from the late 18th century and is the only Ottoman-era hamam in Nazilli to have survived to this day. It is in the Altıntaş neighborhood, on a street east of Koca Camii. Koca Camii is in the city center near Uzun Çarşı and was built in 1886. The buildings offer different historical points of reference: the hamam dates to the late 18th century, while the mosque has a specific construction date in the 19th century. Their location details also differ: Altıntaş for the hamam, and the city center near Uzun Çarşı for Koca Camii.

Scenery and Former Factory Grounds

Dereağzı Waterfall is in the Pınarbaşı neighborhood of Nazilli, below the shooting range. Locals use it to cool off in summer; this seasonal aspect distinguishes it from the historic buildings. At Sümer Park, scenery and industrial history come together: the park was created on the grounds of the former residential and social facilities of the Sümerbank calico-printing factory. Its natural beauty stands out. The former factory surroundings can therefore be explored not only through the factory’s production, but also through the residential and social facilities on whose grounds the park now stands. The campus and Sümer Park show two different ways in which the former Sümerbank calico-printing factory grounds in Nazilli have been repurposed: the former factory building now serves as Adnan Menderes University’s campus, while the park was created on the grounds of former residential and social facilities.

If you are looking for a hotel in Nazilli, choose your travel focus according to the themes that interest you most: industrial history, historic buildings, or scenic places.

Discover more destinations: Geyre, Akbük, Aydin, Boğaziçi, Kuşadası, Sarıkemer Belediyesi, Kirazli, Balat

Go to the main travel overview: Aydin.