The Uzun Mehmet Monument is located on Balkaya ridge, west of Zonguldak, and was erected in 1973 in memory of Uzun Mehmet, who discovered coal in the region in 1829, and fallen miners and soldiers; it is arranged as a picnic area offering a bird's-eye view of the city and port.
The Uzun Mehmet Monument symbolizes Zonguldak's connection with coal. It was erected in memory of Uzun Mehmet, who discovered coal in the region in 1829, a fallen miner, and a fallen soldier; all three figures are considered the "owners" of Zonguldak, in its own words. The monument was commissioned by the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (Türkiye Taşkömürü Kurumu) in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Republic, and architect Yılmaz Soylu completed the work in 3 months. The governor of the period, Nihat Oğuz Bor, also supported its construction.
The Balkaya locality in Yayla Neighborhood was a specially chosen place: a location visible from every point of the city center at that time. The reason for its erection here, despite the difficulty of access, was this desire for visibility. In 1983, Zonguldak Municipality transformed the area around the monument into a picnic area and walking path; today, it is a spot that looks upon both history and the city. Recreation arrangements are ongoing around the area, which is located within the July 15 Martyrs Campus of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University.
For anyone who wants to understand what coal means to Zonguldak, this is one of the city's symbolic centers. Its dominant position overlooking the sea offers the opportunity to see the city and the port at a glance, if the weather is clear.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Zonguldak historical places, Kapuz Beach.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
The monument is outdoors, on a hill overlooking the sea. Weather conditions directly affect the quality of the visit. Spring and summer months, especially daytime, should be preferred. Since the city view disappears on foggy or cloudy days, choosing clear weather days is more productive.
How to Get There?
The monument is located on the Zonguldak-Kozlu highway, approximately 2 kilometers from the city center. It takes 5 minutes by taxi or minibus from the bus station, and 10 minutes by minibus from the city center. If you are going by your own car, there is ample parking space around.
City Transportation
Minibus services run from Zonguldak center to the monument. It is sufficient to follow the lines heading towards Yayla Mahallesi Balkaya Mevkii. Taking a taxi is more practical, especially for groups with luggage or larger groups.
How Much Time Should Be Allocated?
30-45 minutes is sufficient to see the monument itself and observe the surrounding view. Those who wish to sit and spend time in the picnic area can extend this period up to an hour.
Route Suggestion
The Uzun Mehmet Monument can be planned as part of a Zonguldak city center tour. It can be combined with the Coal Museum or the coastline in the city center to create a half-day culture-history route. The recreation areas around the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University campus can also be visited during the same trip.
Photo Spots
Shots taken from the Balkaya ridge show the monument with the city and sea in the background. The light is softer towards the afternoon; hours close to sunset are advantageous for landscape photos.
Things to Consider
The monument is on a slope, so care must be taken on the walking path. On windy days, there can be strong gusts on the hill, so dressing appropriately for the season is beneficial.
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