Ayaş brings together two scales of history: the Via Tauri pilgrimage route, with its far-reaching historic endpoints, and several mosques in the town centre. Historic houses and streets, a thermal tradition and an activity hub within the municipal area add to the picture. When planning a trip, it is worth considering these themes according to their different connections: history shapes the townscape and its links to the route, while other experiences offer their own distinct highlights.

Historic traces in Ayaş

Ayaş lies on a main section of the Via Tauri, a historic pilgrimage route that ran from Istanbul through Tarsus to Jerusalem. This connection places the town within a broader historical context. Ayaş’s historic houses and streets are regarded as a kind of open-air museum and add another historical dimension to the townscape. The route connection and the townscape complement each other: the name Via Tauri points to a far-reaching historic link, while the buildings and streets draw attention to Ayaş itself.

The mosques offer a concrete comparison. The Ulu Mosque stands in Belediye Square and is the oldest and largest mosque in the town. Its architecture dates it to the 15th century. The Şeyh-Muhyiddin Mosque and the Bünyamin-Ayaşi Mosque are also in the town centre; both were built in the 16th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the three buildings chronologically: the Ulu Mosque is notable for its architectural dating to the 15th century, while the other two mosques were built in the 16th century.

Thermal traditions and exhibitions

Ayaş is known for its drinking waters and thermal baths. Among the particularly notable places are the historic Paşa Hamamı and Karakaya-Kaplıca. The Ayaş Foundation exhibits ethnographic and archaeological objects at Paşa Hamamı. The historic hamam thus combines the thermal theme with an exhibition function. Those interested in cultural history can consider this alongside the mosques and the historic townscape, rather than seeing Ayaş solely in terms of its thermal baths.

Karakaya’s connection to the town is also part of this theme: Karakaya is an area in the town centre associated with Ayaş’s thermal water tradition. Karakaya-Kaplıca is among the town’s particularly notable thermal baths. Together, these details offer different ways to understand Ayaş’s thermal attractions without reducing them to a single place or function.

Other highlights in the municipal area

Paragliding takes place at Kumludoruk Tepesi in the Ayaş municipal area. Flights take off from terrain 450 metres above sea level and offer views of Ayaş. Its location is therefore different from that of the mosques, which are in the town centre: here, the focus is an activity in the municipal area and views of Ayaş, while the mosques are buildings within the centre.

Another historic point of interest is in the vicinity of Ayaş Stream. Kırkevler is mentioned there alongside other historic buildings. The Mulberry Festival takes place every year and may be useful when choosing when to travel. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the exact date in advance. This allows you to consider local history, thermal attractions and the annual festival as distinct highlights of a stay in Ayaş.

Discover more destinations: Ankara, Yukarıbağdere, Dikmen, Akyurt/Ankara, Çayırhan, Karahisar, Temelli Yenihisa, Güzelöz Köyü.

Go to the main travel overview: Ankara.