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Nestled in the Sivrihisar district of Eskisehir, the historic village of Abbashalimpasa stands out with its 111-year-old heritage and unique, grid-style urban layout dating back to the late Ottoman period. Founded in 1914, the village is a rare example of a “nizami planli” (orderly planned) rural settlement, showcasing precise street alignments, geometrically arranged houses and a central mosque.
Abbashalimpasa takes its name from a prominent Ottoman figure Abbas Halim Pasha. The village was part of an organized resettlement initiative in the early 20th century, primarily aimed at housing immigrants from the Balkans. Its design mirrors the late Ottoman Empire’s interest in regulated settlement patterns, even in rural contexts.
The houses are aligned in straight rows, and the streets intersect at right angles, forming a checkerboard-like layout. The central mosque anchors the village, both geographically and socially. This systematic approach to planning is extremely rare in rural Anatolia, making Abbashalimpasa a unique example of Ottoman engineering and vision.
Residents of the village take great pride in their home’s history and structure. In recent years, Abbashalimpasa has started to attract attention from academics, architects, and curious travelers. Local authorities, including the Eskisehir Governorship and Sivrihisar Municipality, are reportedly working on initiatives to promote the village as a cultural tourism site.
Today, Abbashalimpasa village offers a window into a beautiful example of rural life, blend of cultural memory and architectural clarity. As more people discover its story, this hidden Ottoman gem in Eskisehir may soon become a notable stop on Türkiye’s cultural and historical tourism map.
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