Bolu is a city along the road from Istanbul to Ankara (much closer to Ankara). From the Enc. Britt.: A city in northwestern Turkey. It is situated at 2,434 feet (742 m) above sea level on the southern slopes of a bare hill. The region was once part of the Hittite empire and became the kingdom of Bithynia in the 5th century BC. At nearby Eskihisar are ruins of the ancient Bithynium, a flourishing town of Asia Minor and—as birthplace of the Roman emperor Hadrian's favourite, Antinoüs—recipient of many privileges during that emperor's reign (AD 117–138). Taken by the Ottoman Turks about 1325, Bolu is the reputed home of the legendary Turkish folk hero Köroðlu.

I had been here once before, and liked it. When I returned in June 2007 I found the city had only improved, the same during another 2019 visit. I used it as a basis for a trip to Mudurnu and Düzce and Konuralp. But the city itself felt comfortable: wide streets, lots of modern buildings, yet some ancient mosques providing a sense of antiquity. The hills / mountains nearby were a delight also, lots of green, not too difficult to climb and within easy reach by dolmus.

I now publish the pictures, I will rearrange them soon and add some captions.