"View from Zeytinbagi after rain" Zeytinbagi by basak

Zeytinbagi is a little town near by Marmara Sea and about only 40 mintues away from Bursa city-center. It is an old Greek town. No more Greeks live here since they had to leave the country in 1924 according to articles of Treaty of Laussane. Turkish population who migrated from Greece was placed here. However, the history of the town goes far back in the history. It was an important religous center in Byzantine era. There are some churches and monastries which had witnessed the Byzantine days in the town.

Nowadays, some of the old Greek houses are being restored, and the town is becoming a touristic one. There are nice fish restaurants by the sea. Still, most of the people are engaged in olive production. You can taste very delicious olives and olive oil in the town. Actually, the name Zeytinbagi means olive yard.