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ISPARTA
Isparta, high in the Taurus Mountains, is a city of
lakes with lovely coastal areas overgrown in the
spring and summer. with an exuberance of wild flowers.
In the city you should stop at the Ulu Mosque built in
1417 by the Seljuks. The Bedesten, or covered bazaar,
dates from 1561. The great Ottoman architect Sinan
built Firdevs Pasa Mosque in the 16th century. Be sure
to see the 14th-century Isparta Castle. Rose gardens
that produce rose oil for the cosmetic industry
surround the city and fill it with their sweet scent.
Other souvenirs include a thickly piled Isparta carpet.
In the nearby hills, the districts of Kirazlidere and
Sidre are popular with visitors who want to relax and
enjoy the view. South of Isparta, Golcuk Lake,
encircled by aromatic pine forests, rests at an
impressive 1405 meters above sea level.
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