Icmeler Online Holiday Forum & Reviews - Turkey

Going in July and would love to visit the old village as people are told me it is good.
Has anyone got any information about what it is like and what is around there.
Any photos would be greatly appreciated thanks nikki

The old village is just like the rest of içmeler, you really won't notice any difference. Loads of shops, cafe and bars, hotels and apartments around just like in the centre.

I can see people imaganing this big gate saying "old village" and once you enter everything is all mud huts and camels

It's a bit confusing, as whilst some of the Old Village is bars and restaurants much like the rest of Icmeler, other bits are not. I had a wander around with my camera last May, so if you're interested there's some photos towards the bottom of this post:

http://icmeleronline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8430#p77014

Hope this helps...

- Paul.

It all seems to depends on what different people call the "old village". Some people seem to tell you it's in one place, whereas others have very different ideas.
We've certainly wandered round bits of Icmeler which seemed a lot "older" and more traditional than others.

Hi there thanks for the comments, Just had a look at the photos and they look great. will definetly be going to have a look round.
Someone told me that you can go and look around that how the traditional turkish people live. Is this true?
Thanks Nikki

the old village is where most turkish people live all year round
its nice as the real old village is a lot more like turkish culture than icmeler is as its made for the tourist people
everything is much more basic with the old houses and little side streets
xxxx

The area and houses near to the mosque are what I would class as the old village, in as much as its off the beaten track where tourists would go. Its lovely to walk around this area and see the livestock in the gardens and the fruits growing on the trees etc

Stewart

The Old Village of Icmeler is no more over recent years it has been bulldozed flat to be replaced with modern Hotels, Apartments ,Restaurants and should only now be referred to as The New Village.
Prior to this development or devastation to walk around The Old Village took you back through the ages of almost a 150 years ago.I have a pleasant memory of sitting in tented structures in Icmeler drinking my efes while watching a troupe of Turkish dancers.
The Village area consisted of small homesteads where the local people lived in conditions and the style as their forefathers had growing their own fruit and vegetables and sharing their homes with live stock. Narrow winding lanes with stone walls on both sides ran throughout the village and presented you with a true living history as you walked.
It is a shame that the Village had to go but so is progress, it is hoped that the Villagers gained benefits from the change and are happy with the way they now live.
I do not have any pictures of the way things used to be but would be very interest to see Icmeler as it was 10years and more ago.

The Old Village has certainly changed over the last 16 years since I have been going to Icmeler, but to me it still has that magic feel about it. I can remember when I first walked through the Old Village and saw all the village women walking towards Sinbad restaurant carrying their dough to be baked in big tin bowls and everybody having to wait their turn to put their individual loaves into the communal oven (you can still see the oven when you visit the Sinbad restaurant today). Their first reaction when they saw me was to turn their heads away from me and certainly they did not want to be photographed. However, in a matter of minutes as I began to try and speak my then poor turkish, everything changed. I was escorted into the oven area and was given some turkish tea to wait for the bread to bake and photograph taking was no problem at all! I was then given a loaf, wrapped in newspaper to go home. This is how turkish people treat you. They are just amazing.

Being in the Old Village at that time was as if you were entering an 'industrial estate' with all kinds of little family industries going on e.g. bakers, blacksmiths, bike repairs etc etc.

I think if you visit Icmeler then you should certainly have a walk up into the Old Village. The above industries are no longer seen, but you will certainly feel as if you are walking back in time when you are up there. It is still magic for me when I enter the village.

That paints a very evocative picture, helen - I wish I had seen the old village in those days. Hubby and I have resolved to have a good old walk around this time - as we won't have to drag teenage son with us, who would just moan (in the way only teenage boys can!)

Hi Blondie,

Maybe we will come across you when we visit 30th July - 20th August. (our son got married two weeks ago - so we will be childless as well!)

Cafe Rose would be well worth a visit when you are up in the Old Village.
Glad my memories gave you a taste of how it used to be.

Unfortunately, we go on May 27, just for a week, so won't be there at the same time, Helen. Hoping to go back again maybe in October though. We've heard good things about Cafe Rose though, so might have a wee stroll and see if we can find it. Hope you have a great holiday!

While on nostalgia for the old village, anyone remember the old No Name Bar on the main road facing where the Kingsland is. It was like a large tent and Apo and Lee , before they moved to the Venice down at the canal used to dance on the bar each night. At that time, 1997, the only roads up to the village were the one which runs up past the old mosque and the one up from Tansas,with fields of lemon grass in between. The road running up as far as Harry Rams simply wasn't there. It was a series of paths through the grass with no lights and was pitch black at night. There used to be a stuffed camel at the start of the path next to the barber shop on the main road. At that time Tyfun, who runs Harry Rams, ran the Chicken Shack next door to the Majestic.
I love Icmeler and think back fondly to those days but I also think all the changes since have been for the better.
Anyone any other memories.