Weeping Plane Tree

This plane tree, standing at the entrance of the Gölyazı Neighborhood peninsula, is one of the rare examples that has been granted international monumental tree status. Its leaning trunk and the water seeping from the hollow in its trunk give the tree a lively expression. The tree, whose age was officially determined to be 725 in 1998, has now completed approximately 750 years of its life.

The small square formed around the plane tree, with its fish restaurants and tea gardens, serves as Gölyazı's social center. Visitors usually take a tea break here, then delve into the village's narrow stone streets.

You can visit the Weeping Plane Tree at any time of the year; however, spring and autumn months are the most beautiful periods for both weather conditions and the color of Lake Uluabat. In spring, the greenery around the lake and migratory birds add a special atmosphere to the region.

In summer, especially on weekends, Gölyazı gets quite crowded. If you want a quiet visit, prefer weekdays. In winter, the number of visitors decreases, and the village becomes deserted; this can be an advantage for those looking for a different experience.

Gölyazı is approximately 25-30 km away from Bursa city center. If you are going by private car, it is enough to follow the Gölyazı sign at the 39th kilometer of the Bursa-Mustafakemalpaşa highway. Parking is available at the village entrance.

To reach by public transport, you can take Gölyazı minibuses from Bursa Intercity Bus Terminal or from stops in the Nilüfer district. There are regular services throughout the day; we recommend checking the return times in advance.

Gölyazı's most famous delicacy is pişi; you can find this fried dough pastry, cooked outdoors by village women, at the stalls right next to the plane tree. It's truly delicious when hot and fresh.

Fish restaurants by Lake Uluabat stand out with their freshwater fish. Carp and pike are among the main choices. Sitting in the tea gardens and watching the lake is also an integral part of the Gölyazı experience.

The most impressive shot of the Weeping Plane Tree is close-up shots where you capture the leaning trunk and the water seeping from it together. In the morning, the light falls better on the tree; in the afternoon, the tree remains in its own shadow.

For wide-angle shots, you can step back a few paces and include Lake Uluabat in the background. Gölyazı's narrow stone streets and wooden houses also offer rich material for photography.

When you come to Gölyazı, the first stop is naturally the Weeping Plane Tree; it's right at the entrance of the peninsula. From here, you can walk into the village and explore the historical stone houses and narrow streets. Then, we recommend taking a short boat tour on Lake Uluabat; boats depart from the village pier.

After having lunch at one of the fish restaurants by the lake, you can conclude your day by buying 'pişi' on your way back. Half to a full day is sufficient for this entire program.

Since the Weeping Plane Tree has monumental tree status, it is a legal obligation not to harm the tree, write on its trunk, or break branches. Visitors need to be careful in this regard.

The Gölyazı peninsula is a very small area; entering by car is both difficult and harms the village's texture. Using the parking area at the village entrance and proceeding on foot offers both a practical and much more enjoyable experience.