The History of Mudanya
Mudanya is a pleasant coastal city, founded by people from Colofone of the Ionian colonists and drew the attention and care of people because of its historical and geographical feaures.
It is known that its first name was MYRLEA and it has been detected by archeological research that it was invaded continously in the next periods. It is understood that Macedonian Emperor 5. Phliposs invaded Myrlea and a new city called APAMEIA was built instead. Apemia was surrounded by fortresses in order to parry the danger which could be done through sea; still the traces of these fortresses are seen in Zeytinbağı (Triyle) and Kumyaka (Siği). After the invasion of Apemia, the city was constructed again and the name of MONTANIA was given to it. It has been presumed that its current name MUDANYA has been originated from it.
 
Mudanya was conqured by Orhan Bey in 1321 and included within the territories of Otoman Empire. Mudanya Town was in the possession of Ottomans till the Mondros Armistice Agreement. After Mondros, it was invaded by British but this invasion even did not last for a day. Gendarma Corporal Şükrü Çavuş, dedicated to the homeland, ran to the seaport alone where British Marine Troop landed by taking his mauser rifle without receiving order and fired his gun. He was martyrized by British after he killed a major and soldier in British army on 25 June 1920. However, British left its place to Greeks after 11 days on 6 July 1920. The city was under the enemy invasion for more than 2 years.
 
Liberation of Mudanya
After the liberation of Bursa in 11 September 1992, 11th division in Bursa turn towards Mudanya direction on hearing the gun report from Mudanya. French cavalry who came to the Turkish division headquarters on the evening of 11 September declares that Mudanya is neutral zone, whereupon the First Cavalry Troop is sent to Mudanya towards evening.
When 11. Division approaches to Mudanya in the morning of 12 September, our Kocaeli Group protecting the east of the town assaults. The south edge of the Mudanya is protected by threat forces. When the 11th Division commander blocks the west of the Mudanya with a regiment and when they are battling with threat forces in the South with onslought motive, the enemy assaults against Kocaeli Group with its maximum force.
The war ends with the surrender of the enemy around 04.00 pm on 12 September 1922 and meanwhile 202 military officers, more than 6 thousands soldier and 32 guns with Division Commander are taken. However; Greek Colonel Zirvas succeeds in breaking away with his troop in a battleship.
Now, this day in Mudanya is commemorated enthusiasticly with liberation represantative picture every year on 12 September.
 
Armistice of Mudanya
The wooden waterside residence where the Armistice of Mudanya was signed takes place at the end of the Kordonboyu (İnönü Avenue) in Mudanya. The first owner of this historical building carrying the traces of 19th century architecture is Russian origin Merchant AleksandrGanyanov. Later, the building was bought by Hayri İpar, a businessman from Mudanya, and it was changed into a museum in 1937 after it was repaired. This historical building was the witness of the heated debate of the parties who ended up the War of Independence and participated in the historical pact 3-11 October 1922. When the pact, which ended the war with Greece, was signed in the morning of 11 October, Thrace, İstanbul and Straits were set free of the invasion. Armistice of Mudanya is the first document establishing the superiority of Turkish State in politcal sphere.
 
Greek District (Ottoman Period Non-Muslim District)
The Greek Districy where the old wooden houses are located (present Halitpaşa District) was planned by Italian engineer named as Piçiretu. The houses in the districts which Piçuretu planned have been constructed so well that you can view the sea from every where you look. Non-muslims resided in the north of the Old Mosque and Turks resided in the South of it. When the Greeks migrated to Greece after the armistice, Turks migrated from Crete settled there. Actually the local people of Mudanya are scarcely any now. There were 45 sections Turkish population there till 1922 when the armistice was signed. Therefore majority of Mudanya is consisted of Crete imigrants, and people who migrated and settled there from Bursa and other cities more than the local people of Mudanya itself.
 
 
Tahir Pasha Mansion
There are great many of mosques and civil architecture examples remaining from the Otoman period in Mudanya. Tahir Pasha Mansion is one of the 196 historical structures located there. The two storey mansion as the most beautiful beautiful example of the 18 century mansions lost its originality since its plan underwent lots of changes. Its leaded windows, plant and geometrical roof ornamentation, hand carves which restored in 1985 are among the rarely seen examples of architecture.