Ula: Mosques, Woodworking and Friday Market

Ula brings together mosques dating back several centuries, traditional woodworking and a Friday market offering regional produce and handicrafts. The buildings differ not only in when they were built: wooden ceilings, stone plinths and minarets with different numbers of steps provide specific points of comparison. Add typical dishes and a local tradition, and the picture extends beyond architecture. If you are considering Ula as a holiday destination, these themes can help you decide what you want to focus on during your trip.

Mosques and Ula Houses: History in Detail

The Ağalar Mosque in the Alparslan neighbourhood was built in 1549 by Hacı Ali Ağa. Its minaret and roof were destroyed in the 1926 earthquake. Today, the mosque has a rebuilt minaret with 34 steps. The construction, earthquake damage and rebuilding of the minaret each mark a distinct chapter in its history.

The Koçarlı Mosque in the Demirtaş neighbourhood was built in 1376 by Mehmet bin Mustafa. It is also called the New Mosque and referred to as the New Koçarlı Mosque; it was renovated in 2006–2007. Its flat wooden ceiling and minaret on a stone plinth offer a different architectural perspective from the number of steps in the minarets.

The Müftü-Hüsamettin-Efendi Mosque in the Ayazkıyı neighbourhood dates back to 1622. Its minaret has 61 steps. The tomb of Hüsamettin Efendi, after whom the mosque is named, is located immediately next to it. The construction dates of 1376, 1549 and 1622 span a period of history; the minarets of the Ağalar Mosque and the Müftü-Hüsamettin-Efendi Mosque can also be compared by their 34 and 61 steps, respectively.

The traditional Ula houses in the town centre, which are open to visitors, complement this perspective on architecture. Intricate wood carvings can be found on features such as cupboard doors and ceilings. Alongside the architectural features of the mosques, these houses highlight the finely crafted details of traditional homes.

Friday Market, Cuisine and Local Traditions

The Ula market takes place on Fridays, providing a clear point of reference for planning your trip. It offers locally grown fruit and vegetables, most of which are organic. Regional handicrafts are also sold, including needle lacework and woven goods. Here, you can find both locally grown produce and handmade items.

Typical dishes in Ula include Galli Patlıcan, Börülce Teltoru, Sac Böreği and Börülce Çorbası. They are available at a small number of restaurants in the district centre. As availability may change, it is best to check in advance if you have a particular interest.

Bullfighting is considered part of local culture in Ula and usually draws a large audience.

Putting Ula into Perspective as a Place to Stay

The Ula district is about three kilometres from the Muğla–Marmaris road and lies almost at the geographical centre of Muğla Province.

When choosing a holiday rental in Ula, it helps to decide on your main travel interest first: would you like your stay to focus more on architectural history, the Friday market or typical dishes? This can help you see whether the local attractions match the experiences you would like to combine.

Discover more destinations: Milas, Kızılağaç, Kultak, Göcek, Keçiler, Boğaziçi, Mugla, Yeşilüzümlü.

Go to the broader travel overview: Mugla.