Discover Silivri

Silivri brings together the history of an ancient settlement with stories of migration and a yoghurt tradition that is still well known today. Historic Silivri, also known as Selymbria, was founded east of the bay beside the present-day town: on a steep, rugged hill 56 metres high, overlooking the Sea of Marmara.

Silivri’s history at the Population Exchange Museum House

The Population Exchange Museum House focuses on Silivri’s local history and the culture of the population groups who came to Silivri as part of the population exchange. The house therefore tells the story not only of one place, but also of these groups’ experiences and culture. In the lower exhibition hall is the Gülcemal (1911–1950), with original photographs. The ship symbolises the migrants’ hopeful journey and reunion. The photographs and ship model provide concrete points of reference for the exhibition; the dates 1911–1950 are part of the Gülcemal’s name.

The museum house is open to visitors daily from 10:00 to 19:00, except Mondays; admission is free. This information can help you fit a visit into your day’s plans. If you would like to spend more time exploring Silivri’s local history and population-exchange culture, the museum house offers a clearly defined thematic focus.

Ottoman architecture and historic townscapes

The Mimar Sinan Bridge is also part of Silivri’s Ottoman history. It dates from the 16th century and is also known as the Sultan Suleiman Bridge and the Silivri Bridge. The restored bridge was opened for public use on 18 October 2021 through the cooperation of the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Istanbul Provincial Administration, and the Silivri Municipality. This landmark thus brings together its historical context and a specific date in the town’s more recent history.

Other named structures include the Piri Mehmet Pasha Mosque, a 16th-century Ottoman mosque associated with Mimar Sinan’s buildings. The cistern in Silivri Castle Park is another historical feature of Silivri. You can consider the bridge, mosque, and cistern as distinct examples that reflect different interests, without reducing them to a single shared architectural purpose. Selymbria Castle, in turn, shapes the historic townscape through its location: its southern side descends as a steep, rocky slope to the sea, while walls enclose the other three sides.

Yoghurt tradition and choosing your trip

Silivri is particularly well known in Turkey for its yoghurt production. During the Ottoman period, the town supplied Istanbul with fruit and vegetables; in the 1870s, special buildings called Yoğurthane were constructed for yoghurt production. This link between the history of provisioning and a tradition of local production adds a glimpse of Silivri’s food culture to its cultural history. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether the Population Exchange Museum House, Ottoman architecture, or the history of yoghurt production is the main draw for you.

The town offers a range of historical and cultural themes, not just a single attraction. You can also visit other area pages: Riva, Yolçatı, Yayla, Alkent 2000, Kumköy, Gümüşdere Köyü, Işıklar and Zekeriyaköy.

For the broader travel overview: Istanbul.